The New Orleans Saints and running back Alvin Kamara are "extremely close" to a contract extension, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Pro Bowler is looking for a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
Saints and Pro-Bowl RB Alvin Kamara are “extremely close” to a lucrative new extension that the two sides are hoping to finalize in the next few days, per sources. The deal would silence any recent trade speculation and keep Kamara in New Orleans during the prime of his career.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2020Alvin Kamara was asked about his ongoing contract negotiations with the New Orleans Saints Monday, but the running back opted to instead talk about his team’s Week 1 opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“It was a good day,” Kamara replied. “We focused on Tampa, we installed the first part of the game plan. We’re just kind of getting some of those little kinks out. It feels good to be out there with the team and we’re focusing. (We’ve got a) Day off tomorrow and we’ll be back Wednesday.”
Since being taken in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, he’s been one of the NFL’s most productive running backs. Kamara's 38 touchdowns are the third most of any running back and his 5,061 all-purpose yards are the second most at his position. Running backs from Kamara's class including Christian McCaffrey and Joe Mixon have already secured extensions from their teams.
Saints head coach Sean Payton said Monday that team wouldn’t discuss contract negotiations publicly, but said he felt confident in the progress.
“I’m confident that at some point we’ll get this done,” Payton said. “And we’ll let you know when that happens.”
Negotiations with the former Tennessee star who’s entering the fourth season with the franchise made headlines last week, after reports circulated that Kamara’s absence from three training camp practices was contract related.
Kamara denied holding out and said he was at the Saints practice facility every day.
“I ain’t never held out in my life,” Kamara said. “That’s about it.”
