Saints star running back Alvin Kamara has had an unexcused absence from training camp the last three days. Sources have told Adam Schefter that the absence is contract related.
Kamara’s Impact
Kamara, a 4th year back out of Tennessee, has arguably been top-five in the league for the past few years. He has amassed over 4,000 scrimmage yards in his three years with the Saints and has averaged 81 receptions per year as well.
Up until last year, Kamara had been splitting touches with now Ravens running back Mark Ingram. Last season was Kamara’s first as a starter. While he didn’t put up the best numbers of his career, he certainly was still an integral part of the Saints offense and presumes to be for years to come.
Contract Numbers and the Market
Kamara is entering the final year of his four-year, 3.9 million dollar rookie deal with the Saints. He stands to make roughly 2.2 million dollars this season.
One of Kamara’s fellow running backs from the 2017 draft has already received a massive contract extension. Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey signed a 4-year extension worth 64 million dollars.
The Saints have a bit of a predicament as they are in cap trouble for the following year. The team is projected to be nearly 37.7 million dollars over the cap to start next season. That number doesn’t include contracts for offensive tackle Patrick Omameh and cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Kamara is looking to secure a long-term deal worth more than his rookie contract. Running backs in the NFL rarely ever get a second contract. However, it remains to be seen if the Saints consider Kamara to be in the elite groups of backs that do get that deal.
