Saints and Alvin Kamara agree on a 2-year, $24.5 million contract extension

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints and running back Alvin Kamara have agreed on a two-year, $24.5 million contract extension that runs 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 — even as he decided against holding out.

The versatile Kamara has eclipsed 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 has started all seven of New Orleans’ games, rushing for 438 yards with six touchdowns and catching a team-high 34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown that covered 57 yards.

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

Kamara said he decided against holding out because he did not want to let down teammates and coaches who, he noted, 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 went on to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

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 ranks second in Saints history. He needs 234 yards to surpass Mark Ingram for that club record.

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