Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that “cooler heads have prevailed” and the Saints and the representatives for RB Alvin Kamara plan to continue working on a long-term extension.
Kamara is expected to be back at practice on Wednesday, but Josina Anderson reports that New Orleans will fine him $200,000 for his absence the past few days.
Earlier in the day, reports surfaced that the Saints were open to trading Kamara, which came as a surprise to many.
The parties have been negotiating an extension and are said to be a few million apart on an annual salary basis. Charles Robinson hears that the Saints are comfortable making him a top-five highest-paid running back at $12 million per year, but he’s pushing for closer to the $16 million per year the Panthers are paying Christian McCaffrey.
Robinson added that the Saints view the new four-year, $48 million extension Joe Mixon signed with the Bengals as a starting point for talks with Kamara. However, Kamara’s camp considers his overall impact on their offensive scheme to be unique enough to make him worth more.
According to Jeff Duncan, the Saints’ first option is to sign Kamara to a long-term deal, but only at the right price. If they don’t get a deal in place, Duncan mentioned that they are open to a trade, but would be seeking a first-round pick in return.
It’s worth mentioning that the Saints will have their franchise tag available next year if they hold on to Kamara need to prevent him from hitting the open market.
Kamara, 25, is a former third-round pick of the Saints back in 2017. Kamara is in the final year of his four-year, $3.85 million contract and stands to make a base salary of $977,500 for the 2020 season.
Kamara is in line to be an unrestricted free agent in 2021.
In 2019, Kamara appeared in 14 games for the Saints and rushed for 797 yards on 171 carries (4.7 YPC) to go along with 81 receptions for 533 yards receiving and six total touchdowns.
We have him included in our Top 50 – 2021 Free Agents list.
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