NY Jets could solve WR problem with bold trade for familiar Justin Fields target

The New York Jets have a wide receiver problem. Their current receiving corps ranks among the worst in the NFL, and the options to meaningfully address it are limited.

The 2025 NFL Draft isn't exactly loaded with instant-impact wide receiver talent, and the remaining crop of realistic free-agent targets leaves a lot to be desired. The Jets might have to resort to other avenues to add to their receiver room.

One possible route would be to explore a trade for a wide receiver that their new quarterback, Justin Fields, is very familiar with. The Jets already have one of Fields' former Ohio State receivers under contract in Garrett Wilson. Why not go out and get another?

Rumors have been circulating in recent weeks that the New Orleans Saints could entertain trade offers for standout wide receiver Chris Olave. While no reputable report has confirmed that the Saints are actively shopping him or even fielding calls, the speculation isn’t unfounded — it’s easy to connect the dots.

NY Jets could reunite Justin Fields with another Ohio State wide receiver in a Chris Olave trade

The 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Olave posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to start his NFL career. While he didn’t receive as much attention as his former Buckeyes teammate, Garrett Wilson, Olave quietly established himself as one of the league’s top young wide receivers.

Unfortunately, the 2024 season wasn’t as kind to the California native. Olave suffered two concussions within a four-week span and missed the entire second half of the year. It’s an increasingly concerning trend for a talented young receiver.

Olave has now suffered a concussion in each of his three NFL seasons — four total in just three years. Dating back to his Ohio State days, that number rises to five. These repeated head injuries have cast uncertainty over both his future with the Saints and his long-term NFL career.

The Saints have a decision to make on Olave's fifth-year option this offseason. If picked up, the former first-rounder would be under contract for over $15 million in 2026. The team could also explore a long-term extension, though that would come at an even higher price.

That's why it makes sense that the Saints would entertain trade offers if the price is right. The Jets might be a team willing to take a chance on his talent.

Right now, the Jets boast a wide receiver room that features the likes of Wilson, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley, and a quartet of no-name receivers with one combined NFL catch to their names. Lazard remains an obvious cut candidate for the Jets in the coming days.

The trade wouldn’t come without significant risk. Olave’s concussion history is a real concern, and the Jets would likely aim to extend him — an expensive gamble, given the current state of the wide receiver market. Securing him long-term wouldn’t come cheap.

The actual trade itself might not be too expensive. Olave's injury history diminishes his value, as does his looming contract extension. If the Saints were open to moving him, the price likely wouldn’t be much higher than a third-round pick, if that.

This is a Jets team that's relatively desperate for wide receiver help. What better way to provide said help than by acquiring a proven, high-upside young receiver who has built-in chemistry with your new quarterback?

The former Ohio State trio of Justin Fields, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave (and Jeremy Ruckert, I guess) could be reunited once more in Florham Park.

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