The Saints and Alvin Kamara are “extremely close” to finalizing an extension, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The deal could potentially get done today, since the players have off and Kamara would have time to review the proposed terms.
[RELATED: Titans Beat Out Saints For Jadeveon Clowney]
The sides have made progress in recent weeks, though there’s also been trade speculation surrounding the star running back. Just days ago, the Saints were said to be open to moving Kamara, though they would ask for a first-round pick in return. At one point, Kamara was skipping practices, but the two sides now seem to be on the same page.
Kamara’s deal is expected to land somewhere between Joe Mixon‘s $12MM-per-year pact and Christian McCaffrey‘s record-setting $16MM-AAV deal. Odds are, it’ll be closer to CMC than Mixon. Since 2017, Kamara has registered an eye-popping 4,476 yards from scrimmage, and the Saints don’t want to lose that offensive firepower.
For now, Kamara has one year to go on his rookie deal. The former third-round pick is set to earn just $2.13MM in base salary in 2020.