Saints Reportedly Open To Trading RB Alvin Kamara

Josina Anderson is reporting that the Saints are open to trading star RB Alvin Kamara.

I'm told the Saints are open to trading RB Alvin Kamara, per source.

— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 1, 2020

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 says the Saints view the new 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. 

Kamara’s absence from training camp the past few days has been unexcused and is believed to be related to his contract, according to Adam Schefter. 

Kamara is in line for a big-money extension that could be worth up to $14-$15 million per year when all is said and done. The parties have reportedly discussed an extension, but it appears as though the Saints are willing to at least consider the possibility of trading him and seeing what’s out there. 

It’s worth mentioning that the Saints will have their franchise tag available next year if they need to prevent Kamara 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.