The Saints and Alvin Kamara began negotiations last month, but the perennial Pro Bowl running back began to force the issue recently. Kamara has been sitting out Saints practices in hopes of a new deal.
New Orleans has relied on Kamara over the past three seasons, but the team may not be committed to paying him top-tier running back money. The Saints are open to trading Kamara, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets. One season remains on Kamara’s third-round rookie deal.
However, neither Kamara nor his agent are requesting a trade, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Both thought they were progressing on an extension, Rapoport adds, noting that while Kamara has missed practices, he has been in the building each day.
The Saints would prefer to sign Kamara to an extension, per The Athletic’s Jeff Duncan, but if they cannot do so at the right price, a trade is on the table (Twitter link). If this process gets to that point, Duncan adds the Saints want a first-round pick for Kamara.
Multiple members of the 2017 running back class have now secured extensions, with Joe Mixon‘s $12MM-per-year pact following Christian McCaffrey‘s record-setting $16MM-AAV deal. Kamara’s deal would likely come in between those two values, though the three-down Saints back is surely pushing for a contract at or near the rate McCaffrey received. Given the risk extending running backs at high-end rates comes with, the Saints are keeping their options open.
While Kamara joins draft classmates Aaron Jones and Dalvin Cook in uncertain territory regarding his financial future, he is a vital piece of the Saints’ offense. Only four players have outgained Kamara from scrimmage over the past three seasons, and Kamara’s 6.1 yards per touch betters the three running backs ahead of him. The Saints again have Super Bowl aspirations, with the team loading up its roster this offseason — ahead of Drew Brees‘ age-41 season. Kamara serves as a seemingly essential piece of this championship-contending puzzle.
The Saints have not been too shy about landing value for key offensive starters, having dealt Kenny Stills and, more notably, Brandin Cooks in recent years. Tuesday’s report certainly injects more intrigue into the Kamara situation, one that will bear monitoring through Saints and running back lenses.
Seahawks should have gone for him over the safety. AK & Russ would have been a sick backfield.
They don’t have a first round pick until 2022
I know. they should have gone after AK rather than Jamal. For some reason Seattle insists on not help Russ out. Weirdest thing in pro football.
First of all, how were the Seahawks to know Kamara would be on the open market? Secondly, why would they go after a runningback when they already have Penny, Carson, and Hyde in the mix. Considering the state of their pitiful offensive line, an upgrade there would go a long way in satisfying Wilson
Agreed
Do the Saints have any interest in Fournette
I think L.Murray is basically Fournette and knows the playbook already. Wouldn’t think that the Saints would deal him (if they were) to another NFC team. Jets could drop Bell if they traded for Kamara.
Fournette can run with power, which Murray cannot. Perplexing to me, considering his size. Good backup and spot starter as far as Murray goes, but Fournette is a three down back.
Leonard Fournette was born and raised in New Orleans so he could be willing to take a pay decrease to play there. Think he would be a good fit too
Well I’d certainly like to see him with the Bills… but unfortunately we will need our 1st elsewhere and that’s a high priced backfield, investment wise, with a would be 1st and two 3rd rounders.
I doubt the Saints have the slightest interest in trading Kamara but are hoping they can gain a negotiation edge by leaking the rumor.
Very true. They’ll do it if they have to but I think they expect a deal to be reached. This is more of a “Come on, really? Right now? You know what we’re trying to do this year, right?” from New Orleans’ brass to me.
I’d like to see him join a young high upside QB like Tua or Lock. Man would I like to watch that Denver offense with Lock/Kamara/Sutton/Jeudy/Hamler/Fant/O
And before somebody reminds me they have Gordon, let me remind them he’s complete trash
They have Gordon, Lindsay, and Freeman already. Runningback is the least of their concerns
Truth
Kamara would be great with Tua or Deshaun Watson.
Ooh him
In Denver that would be a dangerous team
Think the saints would be making a good move getting back a first for Kamara, not that he isn’t good or worth an extension but it’s the right move.
Running backs don’t age well in the NFL just look at Todd Gurley or LeVeon Bell for example and they aren’t even old. Running backs are getting more and more expensive especially after McCaffery and Zeke just got record deals.
Plus with Brees likely retiring soon the Saints will need all the resources they have in order to find/get there new QB.