The Saints and former first-round wide receiver Chris Olave have agreed to a four-year, 132-million-dollar contract extension. The deal will make him the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid receiver behind the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and ahead of the Steelers’ D.K. Metcalf. Olave ranked in the top eight of the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdowns last season. With a quarterback and two offensive tackles on rookie contracts, Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says this is the type of deal the Saints can afford.

Cut 14 (08) “…keep him around.”

Olave and the team got the deal done after a short two-day hold-in during camp, and Olave is back as a full participant in practice today.

LSU quarterback spoke publicly for the first time as a Tiger at a team event at the LSU practice facility last night. Leavitt said he was comfortable at Arizona State but said that LSU is just different, and that’s where he wanted to be. He said there is no better place to become the best version of yourself than LSU.

Tight end Juwan Johnson is entering his seventh season with the Saints, but the veteran pass catcher was actually college teammates with second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. The pair played together at Oregon in 2019 during Johnson’s graduate season. He says they’ve built great chemistry in their time together.

Cut 16 (16) “…the biggest thing (2x).”

Johnson had his best season last year with 77 catches for 889 yards and three touchdowns.

Saints legend Drew Brees asked his former head coach Sean Payton to present him at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony next Saturday. The pair, of course, helped revive the Saints and the city of New Orleans post-Katrina when they arrived in 2006. They won the team’s only Super Bowl together in 2010 and spent 15 years together. Also being inducted next weekend are former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, kicker Adam Vinatieri and running back Roger Craig.

The Saints agreed to terms with All-Pro receiver Chris Olave on a four-year, 132-million-dollar contract extension. Olave held in for the first two practices of training camp while he negotiated the deal.Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says he’s surprised by how quickly the two sides got it done.

Cut 13 (12)  “…to everybody’s benefit.”

The deal will make him the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid receiver behind the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb. Olave ranked in the top eight of the NFL in receptions, yards and TDs last season.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield is disappointed he does not have a new contract. Mayfield say she feels disrespected by the offers the Buccaneers presented to him. Mayfield is entering the final season of his deal that will pay him 33-million dollars.

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Linebacker Kaden Elliss returned to New Orleans this offseason after being draftedby the Saints in 2019 . He spent three seasons in Atlanta, where he became one of the league’s best linebackers. He says Saints GM Mickey Loomis has maintained the culture of the playoff teams he was a part of.

Cut 17 (19) “…a hundred percent.”

Drew Brees will have his former coach Sean Payton as his presenter when he’s inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8^th. The invitation was emotional for Payton, who could not hold back his tears as the moment was caught on camera.

High school football…one of the top running backs in the Class of 2028, Caiden Bellard is transferring from Lafayette Christian to University High.

The Saints and All-Pro wide receiver Chris Olave have agreed to a 4-year, 132-million-dollar extension. 90 million dollars of the contract is guaranteed. Olave had been sitting out of team drills during training camp while negotiating the deal and should fully return to practice. He is entering the final season of his rookie deal this year, and signing him to a long-term extension was a key to the Saints’ offseason.

Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry left practice early today with a rolled ankle. Head coach Kellen Moore said his early exit was out of an abundance of caution, and it should not be a long-term issue.

Moore said initial tests for defensive tackle Bryan Bresee did not look good after the former first-rounder left practice yesterday with what is feared to be a season-ending torn ACL. Defensive end Chase Young was confident others would step up in his absence.

Cut 8 (09) “…nasty D-line.”

Saints do-it-all playmaker Taysom Hill announced he will not be returning to New Orleans. In nine years with the Saints, he became the only player in the Super Bowl era with 1,000 career rushing, receiving and passing yards. Head coach Kellen Moore says there is only one Taysom Hill.

Cut 6 (11) “…in this community.”

LSU Coach Lane Kiffin is not a fan of the SEC’s new nine-game conference schedule. ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks LSU with the nation’s 11th-toughest schedule, and every SEC team is among the top 20. Preseason camp opens next week; and Kiffin says with such a demanding schedule, no player will be guaranteed a starting job or playing time.

Cut 18 (14) “…day in practice.”

Saints X-factor tight end, quarterback and all-around football player Taysom Hill announced he will not return to the team this season. Hill is a free agent and said in an emotional social media post that he did not know what the future holds for him, but it will not be in the black and gold. Hill’s final game in the Superdome, he led the team with 42 rushing yards, caught four passes for 36 yards and threw a 38-yard touchdown pass. Head coach Kellen Moore says he is a phenomenal person and competitor.

Cut 22 (10) “one Taysom.”

The Saints held their first open practice today. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is feared to have torn his ACL on the first day of practice yesterday. Moore says they’re waiting on a second opinion, but it looks like he will miss the entire season.

Cut 7 (09) “…training camp’s about.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin continued on his warpath against the nine-game SEC schedule at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday. He says the league has only gotten better since the transfer portal, with more parity than ever. Kiffin fears three-loss SEC teams could miss the College Football Playoff this season.

Cut 17 (17) “…and one team.”

Alabama became the only three-loss team to make the playoff last year, but that loss came in the SEC championship.

The SEC and Big Ten missed another deadline set by lawmakers to announce their positions on the Protect College Sports Act. The leagues are expected to meet this afternoon after a final version of the bill was completed late last night. Time is running out for the bill to reach the U.S. Senate floor before a month-long recess on August 7th.

Tough news after the first day of training camp. One of the Saints top defensive linemen is reportedly done for the season. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (Bruh-zee) reportedly tore his ACL during a non-contact drill. The former first round pick was healthy during his first three seasons in the NFL, and racked up 86 tackles and 14 and a half sacks.

The Saints swiss army knife on offense for the last nine years will not play for the Black and Gold this season. Taysom Hill said in an emotional post on social media it’s not in the cards. The 35-year-old said nothing about retiring.

Saints fans are hoping first round pick Jordyn Tyson will be the next big offensive star. Quarterback Tyler Shough says he’s looking forward to building chemistry with Tyson…

Cut 26 (12) “….never satisfied”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin worries the SEC’s new nine-game conference schedule could cost the league spots in the College Football Playoff. Kiffin says the selection committee has signaled it will not put a lot of emphasis on strength of schedule when choosing and seeding the 12-team field. Speaking to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, he jokingly suggested a better way to determine the college football playoff bracket.

Cut 16 (12) “…team is better?”\

Preseason camp begins next week for the Tigers. Kiffin says quarterback Sam Leavitt is ready to go after recovering during spring football from a foot surgery.

Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reports the Protect College Sports Act is in dire position. The SEC and Big 10 continue to oppose the federal legislation, despite lengthy negotiations with legislators.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club ahead of preseason camp. He says one of the Tigers’ priorities will be getting quarterback Sam Leavitt comfortable in the offense after missing most of spring practice.

Cut 28 (16) “…good shape.”

LSU players report for preseason camp next week with practice kicking off Wednesday.

Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee suffered a knee injury believed to be a torn ACL in the first practice of training camp today. Bresee is undergoing further tests but is likely out for the season.

Receiver Chris Olave is holding in during camp as he negotiates a contract extension. Olave was limited all offseason as he recovered from a blood clot in his lung. He was fully cleared for camp but sat out of team drills today in relation to negotiations.

Ole Miss has filed lawsuits in Lafayette County, Mississippi courts against LSU players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper. The pair agreed to revenue-share deals with Ole Miss and broke those contracts days later when they decided to transfer to LSU. Ole Miss is now seeking nearly one million dollars combined in buyouts from the two.

Cut 19 (09) “…revenue-sharing contract.”

That’s Sam Hutchens, who broke the story with the Clarion-Ledger. He says it will be up to LSU and the players to decide who pays the buyout.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan returned for his 16^th season in New Orleans after testing free agency for the first time in his career. He says he always enters camp with hopes of winning a Super Bowl, but vibes are definitely higher this year.

Cut 9 (12)  “…put the pads on.”

Ole Miss is suing LSU players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper for nearly one-million-dollars. Ole Miss says the former Rebels have not paid the buyout clause of the revenue-sharing agreement they signed with the school before leaving for LSU. Sam Hutchens with the Clarion-Ledger broke the news and says the suit may not even make it to court.

Cut 20 (19) “…two entities.”

LSU declined to comment. Ole Miss claims LSU denied paying on behalf of the players in March because they were not party to the original contracts.

LSU 2007 national champion receiver Demetrius Byrd was arrested in Miami Beach Monday for allegedly making threats on a public bus while holding a tool. Byrd was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The bus driver said Byrd yelled, “Who wants to die?” at passengers while holding a silver multi-tool that appeared to be a knife.

The SEC and Big Ten have missed the 8 a.m. deadline lawmakers set for the conferences to announce their position on the revised Protect College Sports Act. Lawmakers completely overhauled the bill after extensive discussions with school and conference officials, but its future likely hinges on whether those changes were enough to sway the SEC and Big Ten. The conferences have scheduled meetings with university presidents for this afternoon.

The Saints kicked off preseason practice today. To help quarterback Tyler Shough make the next step in year two, New Orleans signed running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan) and drafted first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Head coach Kellen Moore says maybe most important to Shough’s production will be All-Pro receiver Chris Olave.

Cut 17 (16) “…continuing to grow.”

GM Mickey Loomis says Olave and the team are in negotiations for a contract extension, and both sides would like the former first-rounder to stay in New Orleans.

The Saints hit the practice field today to open training camp. Optimism is high in New Orleans as the Black and Gold look to snap a five-year playoff drought. Much of that excitement centers around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. General Manager Mickey Loomis says Shough showed this offseason he has the leadership and intangibles needed to succeed.

Cut 16 (14) “…can take us.”

Chris Olave is expected to be Shough’s top receiving target this season. Loomis says he doesn’t anticipate any restrictions on Olave during training camp after the wide receiver was treated for a blood clot discovered at the end of the 2025 season. Loomis also confirmed the Saints continue to discuss a contract extension with Olave.

Meanwhile, the rivalry between LSU and Ole Miss has moved into the courtroom. Ole Miss has sued former Rebels Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper, claiming they owe nearly $1 million in buyout payments after signing revenue-sharing agreements in January before transferring to LSU. The Rebels say they have tried to collect the money and also contacted LSU, but the Tigers responded that they are not a party to those agreements.

In Major League Baseball, former LSU standout Aaron Nola pitched well but took his ninth loss of the season. Nola gave up just one run over five and two-thirds innings as Miami edged Philadelphia, 1-0.

Another former Tiger, Gage Jump, tossed four scoreless innings to help the Athletics beat the Red Sox, 4-3.

And Alex Bregman collected three hits as the Cubs rolled past the Cardinals, 10-2.

The Saints reported for training camp today. New Orleans has been one of the breakout candidates of the offseason after finishing last in the NFC South last year. They finished the season 4-and-1 in their last five games as quarterback Tyler Shough settled into the starting role. GM Mickey Loomis says that narrative isn’t a bad thing.

Cut 19 (20) “…we just are.”

He highlighted Shough and corners Quincy Riley and Kool-Aid McKinstry as players they need to keep improving this season.

Wide receiver Mason Tipton and defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver were placed on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform list to start camp. Loomis said wide receivers Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson and running back Kendre Miller are all cleared and good-to-go.

Final revisions to the Protect College Sports Act have been made. Lawmakers have sent the new language to the SEC and the Big Ten and given them a deadline of 8 a.m. tomorrow to announce their positions. The bill will either move to the U.S. Senate floor next week or be delayed and likely die completely. One of the largest changes to the bill was the addition of a 20-million-dollar retention pool that would allow schools to exceed the revenue share cap to retain student-athletes.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will play out the final season of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Mayfield has made little progress on a contract extension to stay in Tampa and previously said he would put any negotiations on hold once training camp started. Bucs D-tackle Vita Vea also requested a trade from the organization yesterday after holding in during veteran minicamp.

Former LSU basketball standouts Max Mackinnon, Skylar Mays and Darius Days are all signing deals to play in Australia’s NBL. Mackinnon is signing a two-year deal with his hometown Brisbane Bullets where his father won a championship and League MVP in 2007.

The Saints report for their second training camp under head coach Kellen Moore today. New Orleans went 6-and-11 in Moore’s first season but ended the season 5-and-4 when rookie Tyler Shough took over as the starting quarterback. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for NOLA-dot-com and says fans should be hopeful heading into year two.

Cut 16 (16) “…of the ball.”

Former LSU standout safety Jamal Adams is signing with the Minnesota Vikings. The three-time Pro Bowler could serve as a replacement for veteran Harrison Smith as he considers retirement, but after taking all of his Raiders snaps at linebacker last season, he will more likely be a versatile roamer in Brian Flores’s defense, taking snaps as a safety, linebacker and even edge rusher.

Brian Kelly will officially join CBS Sports’ college football coverage. Kelly will be a member of the studio show “Inside College Football” on Tuesdays and call mainly Mountain West games. His booth debut will come August 29 in a week zero matchup between North Dakota State and Jacksonville State. Former ULM quarterback Doug Pederson will also call select games on CBS Sports Network this season.

A pair of former Tigers are headed to Australia’s NBL. Guard Skylar Mays signed with the Melbourne Phoenix on a one-year deal. After helping the Tigers to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019, Mays played in over 100 NBA games with the Hawks, Trail Blazers and Lakers. Guard Max Mackinnon signed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets. Mackinnon played NBA Summer League ball with the Hornets and now returns to his hometown team, where he was a developmental player in 2022.

Two-time Pro Bowl D-tackle Vita Vea requested a trade from the Buccaneers. Vea is entering the final season of a four-year deal, and talks on a possible extension had stalled. Tampa is also negotiating an extension with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who enters the final season of his contract.