In a true sign of the times, Alvin Kamara found out about Christian McCaffrey‘s record-breaking deal as he was playing video games on a live Twitch stream. Kamara declined to make his case for a similar deal in real-time, but he did reiterate his desire to stay with the Saints for the long haul. 
[RELATED: Panthers, Christian McCaffrey Agree To Record-Breaking Deal]
“I had never been to New Orleans until I got drafted by New Orleans, so just to be able to get to New Orleans and have that city embrace me, and just take me in, basically like adopt me, it’s amazing,” said Kamara (Twitter link via Bleacher Report’s Master Tesfatsion). “There is so much love there. It’s a dope city, outside of football. It’s beautiful people. It’s lit. It’s alive. If we’re talking about football, I’ve never been around a group of guys like in New Orleans that just want to win and just want to be there for each other and want to be around each other.”
At one point in time, Kamara seemed poised to take the highest-paid RB mantle. The 24-year-old (25 in July) is still effective, but he’s come back down to earth since his incredible rookie season. In his 2017 debut, Kamara torched opponents for a league-leading 6.1 yards per carry. Over the last two years, he’s averaged 4.6 yards per tote.
Like McCaffrey, Kamara has proven himself to be an effective weapon both on the ground and through the air. Of course, he hasn’t done it at quite the same level. His balanced production as a runner and pass-catcher is impressive, but it all pales in comparison to CMC, who has two 1,000-yard rushing seasons and over 2,500 career receiving yards.
With one year left on his original rookie deal, Kamara is eligible for an extension. You can expect the two sides to talk, though it might behoove both sides to wait things out.
With how the saints typically split carries between backs I don’t see them paying one big money. With extensions for other players coming up as well at more premium positions if he wants to stay with the saints he’s not going to get the contract cmc just got
i see no way in hell the Saints will give Kamara 16 or even over 12 a year unless he has an amazing good season. Latavius Murray was more valuable to the Saints last season, granted Kamara had injury issues. Probably a franchise tag coming or 10-12 a year. 16 for Kamara is insane, especially with New Orleans cap situation, other weapons they have to pay over the next few years, and Kamara decline each year.
Lately Saints run game is benefitial partly because of great O-Line and a great qb that leaves DCs not so worried about Kamara run game. you lose Brees, and definitely if you decide to have Taysom run an offense, Kamara will really struggle. He is too predictable with 80% of his yardage running to the weak side… then he plays Nick Bosa and cant get more than 2 yards. Kamara has a lot to prove unlike McCaffrey. Hopefully Saints arent stupid and overpay
Mickey Loomis: “We can’t give you a contract like McCaffrey got Alvin, but we got you some video games so you can keep playing on Twitch”.
who really needs to stay for the long haul is michael thomas!!
saints have him through 2024
Thomas is a great player but he never delivers in the crunch. Only 3 TDs in 5 playoff games.
with brees likely done either this year or next at the latest it’d be wise for them to re-sign kamara and try to get thomas to tack another 2 yearsish onto his deal so whoever takes over has weapons that can carry the load. Kamara’s not getting cmc money but something around leveon bell isn’t out of the question with a healthy season this year