The New Orleans Saints are working toward a 2026 season with big expectations, and that's particularly true for their new star WR tandem in Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson.
That pair needs to "answer the bell," WWL Radio's Bobby Hebert says, and that begins in practice. The Saints will hold their two day veteran minicamp this week, prior to a month off leading up to the full training camp. The Saints have notably held the No. 8 overall pick out of much of their OTA action to this point. Hebert said as a player, he only knew of one guy who didn't need to practice, and it was Deion Sanders.
"There’s very few people that are on that level. Now, is our No. 1 draft at that level?" Hebert said. "He don’t have to practice? ... Come on, that ham has been in the oven and it’s baking. You know, it’s got to be cooked by now.”
Hear the full interview with Bobby Hebert in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
When asked last week whether the activity for Tyson would be ramped up at this week's minicamp, head coach Kellen Moore said "we'll see." That also goes for another pair of highly drafted rookies in DT Christen Miller and TE Oscar Delp, who have both missed time for hamstring issues. Tyson is working back from a hamstring issue that limited him during his final year at Arizona State and throughout the draft process.
When Tyson does get on the field, he's expected to form an elite tandem with Olave, who is coming off a season with career highs in targets, catches (100), yards and touchdowns (9). Entering the final year of his rookie contract, it's expected that the Saints will ink him to a lucrative extension prior to the start of the 2026 season. Olave has to this point been held out of team drills as he works back from the blood clot issue that forced him to miss Week 18 of last year.
"I think Chris Olave has unbelievable potential and ability, also with Tyson, but can they answer the bell," Hebert continued. "Are they Eric Martin tough? … You can’t be a flash in the pan. You’ve got to be a lot of flashes. You can’t just like, flash, OK, I showed you what I can do, now I’m going to chill out. No, you’ve got to be able to contribute every day so I can rely upon you."
MORE FROM HEBERT
On Cam Jordan's situation
"Cam Jordan was so special, because we could rely upon him and he would bring it. So, listen, I don’t know what’s going to happen with Cam, again, that’s another thing. I think he might end up signing back with the Saints because of the market and where he’s at. All I know is I always say this, what have you done for me lately, look at Cam Jordan’s production last year. Until some young guy does that, I want Cam Jordan.
“I don’t know if it’ll work out with another team, but let’s say he comes back with the Saints, I think he could still be in that rotation, obviously.”
On Alvin Kamara's situation
“Alvin Kamara got humbled, but he knows the game. Look, how much money Alvin Kamara is getting paid. … Once you’re in the real world, it’s over. He ain’t gonna make that kind of money. You’ve got to humble yourself. Alvin Kamara could still be our guy and contribute to that running back room, because who do you trust behind Etienne. What? Kendre Miller. Are you kidding me? ... Estime is in the hunt as much as any of those backup running backs, so Kamara, hopefully he can contribute and help us with that 1-2 punch.”
