On Wednesday morning, the NFL announced their official NFL Honors nominees, including the five NFL MVP candidates as well as the finalists for the league’s two Rookie of the Year awards – offensive and defensive. While most of the candidates were certainly deserving, there appeared to be one major snub: New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Chris Olave.
The three rookies to make the list were San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, and New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. But Chris Olave did not make the cut.
The finalists for the 2022 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year!
📺: #NFLHonors — Thursday, Feb. 9 at 9pm ET on NBC pic.twitter.com/WCRngvqUtc
— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2023
This season, Olave was one of just two rookie receivers in the entire NFL to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards, joining his former Ohio State Buckeyes teammate Garrett Wilson with the two making some NFL history. Olave finished the year with 72 catches for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns as he emerged as one of the Saints’ most reliable weapons in the passing game.
But that wasn’t enough to get him nominated for rookie of the year, and the NFL world had plenty to say about the snub.
I voted for Chris Olave 💅 https://t.co/RFQFeJ84Yk
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 25, 2023
Brock Purdy started six games dude, Chris Olave broke 1,000 yards, what are we doing here https://t.co/1NKqNDm1eR
— Wyatt (@hooplawyatt) January 25, 2023
Chris Olave not a finalist for roty pic.twitter.com/Z0UQ2i9sMR
— 💚⚡️💫🦧 (@TroeIEmbiid) January 25, 2023
Brock Purdy making it over Chris Olave is certainly something https://t.co/2Yz9NRBYge
— The Victory Bell (@VictoryBellOSU) January 25, 2023
So we're just gonna entirely ignore that Chris Olave exists I guess. https://t.co/oO8s13Uju7
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 25, 2023
Brock Purdy started 6 games. Chris Olave crossed 1000 yards and 70 receptions in just 15 games. https://t.co/nOs6XvCIvS
— 500 🏎 (@Kameron_Hay) January 25, 2023
Chris Olave
1,042 yards
72 catches
14.5 yards per reception
4 touchdowns
1 Rookie of the Year finalist snubbing pic.twitter.com/8wZCyj8Vh0— NOF (@nofnetwork) January 25, 2023
Garrett Wilson vs. Chris Olave.
1) Wilson had a massive target%, instantly became the WR1 in all facets, while producing with 3 QBs.
2) Olave matched Wilson in every category in two fewer games, 20 fewer targets, and way fewer snaps/routes run.
My answer: Just give me both. pic.twitter.com/3sxlRo4NNW
— Addison Hayes (@amazehayes_) January 25, 2023
While Purdy has had a pretty impressive rookie season, he only started six games this season, leading many to believe that Olave was much more deserving. But ultimately, Purdy got the nod.
[NFL]
