Saints and Alvin Kamara agree to a two-year, $24.5 million contract extension

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints and running back Alvin Kamara have agreed to a two-year, $24.5 million contract extension through the 2026 season.

The deal announced by the Saints on Tuesday night comes after Kamara expressed dissatisfaction with his contract situation during training camp – despite deciding against holding out.

The versatile Kamara has amassed more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in all seven of his previous seasons and is the franchise's all-time leader in touchdowns with 85.

This season, Kamara started all seven of New Orleans' games, rushed for 438 yards with six touchdowns and caught a team-high 34 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown for 57 yards.

Because of the way Kamara's previous contract was structured, it was likely that he would be cut before next season, when he would have been due a non-guaranteed salary of nearly $25 million. Kamara said he wasn't seeking a raise, but rather an extension that would give him guaranteed money in future seasons.

Kamara said he decided against holding out because he didn't want to let down teammates and coaches, who, he noted, had played no role in his previously stalled contract negotiations.

The Saints took Kamara in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. He was subsequently named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

In addition to the Saints record in touchdowns, Kamara leads the franchise in rushing touchdowns with 60, yards from scrimmage with 10,738 and all-purpose yardage with 11,396.

His 6,267 yards rushing rank second in Saints history. He needs 234 yards to surpass Mark Ingram for that club record.

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