Alvin Kamara is doing his part to earn a new contract with the New Orleans Saints by playing at a high level — while injured with a couple of broken ribs. But will his efforts be rewarded with a new deal?
They should be, but it’s tough to say if that’s how this story ends. Kamara has done everything the right way throughout this process. He didn’t hold out at training camp or demand a trade to a team willing to pay him what he wants. He’s worked hard and been a good mentor to his younger teammates. His bargained in good faith and made it clear what he wants and why he wants it. And his stats speak for themselves. After four weeks, Kamara leads the league in yards from scrimmage (536), and he’s tied for the most touchdowns scored (6).
It’s just too soon to say whether he’ll get what he’s seeking. Kamara didn’t want these contract talks to become a distraction during the season, so he chose to table them until the spring. And things could look radically different at that time. No running back has stepped up to take touches from him through the first four games. He’s looked exactly as dynamic in Klint Kubiak’s offense as everyone hoped. There’s a very strong likelihood that Kamara will own the team’s rushing yards title by the time he sits back down at the negotiating table.
And that might make it more difficult for the Saints to draw up a fair contract offer. If Mickey Loomis is determined to stand on what he’s already offered, even after a successful season for Kamara, he could make the call to cut Kamara and move on with a younger running back (like Boise State’s Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty). But you hope it doesn’t come to that.
Hope is really what it’s all about. Kamara is hoping his efforts result in a new deal too keep him in New Orleans until he’s finished playing football. Loomis and the Saints are hoping an extension won’t wreck their already-stressed salary cap. Kamara’s strong September has created a lot of hope in Saints fans that he’ll be able to keep it up. We’ll just have to wait and see whether that hope was warranted.
