Protracted contract extension talks between star running back Alvin Kamara and his New Orleans Saints came to a stunning culmination on Saturday, one day before the team’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
According to multiple media reports, the Saints have inked Kamara to a five-year, $75 million contract extension that includes a $15 million signing bonus.
Sources: The #Saints & star RB Alvin Kamara have reached an agreement on a huge 5-year contract extension worth $75M in new money. He gets $77.133M overall and a $15M signing bonus. Kamara cashes in. Agent Damarius Bilbo of Klutch Sports did the deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2020
The break down of this extension is stunning.
To be clear, Kamara is more than worth the money. A third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints back in 2017, this Tennessee product is averaging nearly 1,500 total yards and 12 touchdowns throughout his three-year NFL career.
The massive contract extension will also have wide-ranging ramifications throughout the league at running back. Here’s why.
While this position has been a bit slow compared to others as it relates to resetting the market, running backs are now getting paid.
It’s interesting given how interchangeable some teams view this position. It also tells us a story of young backs likely wanting to be paid big-time moving forward.
It’s all going to depend on how teams view the running back position. Some might be like the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers and believe that the scheme is the biggest aspect to success. Others see players such as McCaffrey as transcendent talents.
This will have a major effect on running backs and their markets in the coming season. Kamara’s deal only adds to that.
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