Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report

Kamara could be the next big-name running back to get paid

By Bryan DeArdo 1 hr ago 3 min read

Alvin Kamara, despite being the fourth highest-paid running back on the Saints' roster, has been patient as he awaits a contract extension. After a quiet offseason, the Saints have begun discusses of an extension for their Pro Bowl running back, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"There is nothing imminent, but the team has made clear with their proposal that they value him," Fowler said Thursday afternoon. "They know he played hurt last year. They believe he is elite. Something could [happen] here within the next few weeks.

"There's sort of a race at running back: who's going to get paid first? Dalvin Cook in Minnesota, Joe Mixon in Cincinnati, [and] Kamara. Teams are still a little hesitant to pay running backs because of the short shelf life, but all three of those guys are considered top-10 backs. [Each player] could get something done soon, and the Saints very much want to with Kamara."

Kamara, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, addressed his contract situation earlier this month. While he certainly wants a new deal, Kamara made it clear that he would rather focus on football while leaving his contract up to his representatives.

"As far as contracts go, I'm not concerned with contract talks at all," the three-time Pro Bowler said, via Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Advocate. "Me and my agent talked briefly about it, and I told him, 'Don't tell me anything about a contract until stuff is happening and there's something I need to know.' If I was my own agent, then I would have everything to tell you guys about a contract, but I'm not. I don't talk (with the Saints' front office) about contracts. I don't talk to coaches about contracts. I'm just here to do my job. I'm healthy and back with my teammates, and we're working toward getting ready for Tampa."

Kamara echoed similar comments shortly after Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, a member of Kamara's 2017 draft class, became the league's highest-paid running back after signing a four-year, $64 million extension back in April. Kamara was enjoying a game of "Call of Duty" when he saw the news of McCaffrey's big extension.

"Hey man, look, I don't even ... I just play football," Kamara said when asked about McCaffrey's deal. "I'm just a football guy. I don't worry with all these contracts and all these things, all this money. Shout out to Christian, man. That's my boy. [He's] talented."

Like McCaffrey, Kamara has proven to be a versatile weapon out of the backfield, amassing 4,476 all-purpose yards that include 2,068 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 243 receptions. Kamara has also averaged five yards per carry that include his league-best 6.1 yards per carry average in 2017. His success is a large reason why the Saints have won three consecutive NFC South Division titles and were on the doorstep of winning their second NFC title in 2018.

Kamara's current market value is estimated at four years and just under $60 million, according to Spotrac. While that total would make him the third highest-paid running back in the league (behind McCaffrey and the Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott), Kamara may increase his market value with another strong season in 2020.

Kamara is also looking to bounce back after knee and ankle injuries limited his production last season. The Saints, along with having Latavius Murray at their disposal, signed Ty Montgomery earlier this offseason. The duo of Murray and Montgomery could help lessen Kamara's workload while keeping him fresh for a possible deep playoff run.

"Anytime you deal with injuries, it's tough," Kamara told CBS Sports HQ during the offseason. "Going into 2020, healthy, expect the same AK."

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Good deal.

Just hope there is enough in the "kitty" to re sign STUD players like Ramz and M Lattimore. IMO Ramz is the BEST RT in football and Latt has all of the tools to become a great cornerback in a now "pass happy" league.

I'm not knocking AK at all ... I think he's special however finding elite corners and right tackles hold a little more value than RB's.

Just my opinion here.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

There are ways to sign anyone who wants to remain a Saint.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Like Mark Ingram?

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Exactly like Ingram. There were ways to structure a contract if he was willing to work with it. He wasn't. He wanted to test the market instead.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Agreed K. Kamara is awesome, but SP always seems to find a RB that fits the system or is just really special.

Personally, I'd be more happy locking Ram and Latt up before AK. But if they can find a way to get all 3...hell yeah.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

I agree with you. We have to extend those guys and you can't pay everybody.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

The talk about a new contract has gone quiet. I wonder if we are waiting to see if we get any extra cap allowance if we play Saturdays? If so then Loomis is quietly working his magic.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

The quiet is usually a good thing. Kamara himself said he only wants to hear about a deal when a deal is done. You usually hear about an ongoing negotiation only when one side or both have some sort of issue they want to get out to the public.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Payton told his personnel guys in the draft process that he envisioned Kamara as his Marshall Faulk (whom Payton coached at San Diego State.) Payton loves Kamara’s football IQ and he’s going to get whatever contract he wants.

Payton was literally sitting on the bench with Kamara going over what plays they could still run when Josh Hill got knocked out of a game. That tells you all you need to know about how much Payton respects Kamara.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

JP, would you cut/paste the entire article here? This one requires a subscription.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

I hope he isn't asking for CMC money because that's a NO

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Hey no worries. Not a biggie.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

His agent has to know that we set a price value on every player and won't pay more. Just ask Mark Ingram. If we can't come to an agreement he would be an excellent player to dangle for a trade. Don't get me wrong. I want him in New Orleans. But I know this front office and they don't play hard ball with anyone.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Obviously one of your British contacts. ;) :D

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Deonte Harris hopefully can step up unless we think Ty Montgomery is the answer, but hopefully they work something out that makes sense for both ends.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Sources: Saints, Alvin Kamara 'extremely close' to lucrative extension

Running back Alvin Kamara and the New Orleans Saints are "extremely close" to a lucrative contract extension, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

The two sides are hoping to finalize a new deal in the next few days that would silence any trade speculation, sources told ESPN.

Kamara on Monday sidestepped questions about his contract talks, insisting that his focus is on Sunday's season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, but so far he and the Saints have been unable to bridge the gap regarding a long-term extension.

Kamara, 25, has a total of 2,408 rushing yards, 2,068 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns in three seasons. He has exactly 81 catches in each of his first three seasons -- despite missing two games last year and being hampered by knee and ankle injuries over the final half of the season.

A source had confirmed that New Orleans was even open to the idea of trading Kamara for a first-round pick in light of his recent four-day absence from practice, but the source indicated things had calmed down before Kamara returned last Wednesday.

Determining where Kamara's value lies may ultimately prove difficult, because there is a wide chasm between Christian McCaffrey's $16 million per year and Joe Mixon's $12 million per year in recent extensions for NFL running backs.

However, this is not a case in which the Saints are eager to part ways with their three-time Pro Bowler, who was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2017 after being drafted in the third round out of Tennessee.

The Saints have made an offer that at least shows they're willing to make a long-term commitment to Kamara, despite their salary-cap limitations, because of the value he brings as both a runner and a receiver.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

No worries ...

I fully expect Kamara's deal to be done before the Tampa game.

Special player.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

You're a special player K. Lol

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

There is no such thing as "extremely close" in any contract negotiation unless it means close in numbers.

Most contract negotiations fail on the one or two last items on the list.

Media drama

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

I'm torn on this because Kamara is a special player and he also seems like a cool cat. But man, Lattimore and Ramczyk are arguably more important players. Especially with Ty and Deonte looking good.

Re: Saints have begun talks for an extension for running back Alvin Kamara, per report
 

The Saints don’t usually do contract talks once the season starts, so there’s one more day to get it done.