The New Orleans Saints won’t be trading running back Alvin Kamara after all.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the two sides are inching closer to a new contract that should keep Kamara in New Orleans for years to come.
Two sides, Saints and Alvin Kamara, both want and need the deal to get done. Players off today, so there’s one window to get done the deal. But it’s coming. All the talk has brought them both to the finish line. https://t.co/yaoCt00Yn3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2020
Kamara, 25, is considered one of the most explosive dual-threat running backs in the game whose skill set is perfectly suited for coach Sean Payton‘s offense. He appeared in 14 games last season and totaled 797 rushing yards, 533 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns. It was actually his least productive season as a pro despite catching 81 passes for the third straight year (which is pretty bizarre).
A new deal for Kamara would continue the run on offseason running back deals. Players like Derrick Henry and Joe Mixon have already cashed-in on long-term extensions and there are rumblings from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Aaron Jones could be getting a new contract in Green Bay.
Kamara’s likely to receive a payday that would rank him among the highest-paid running backs in the league. Christian McCaffrey ranks atop the position with an average annual salary of more than $16 million. Ezekiel Elliott is second at $15 million, and Le’Veon Bell is third at $13.125 million.
So much for the running backs don’t matter crowd.
