As Alvin Kamara holds out of training camp with the hopes of landing a massive contract extension, the New Orleans Saints could now be open to dealing one of the league’s biggest stars before the NFL season begins.
Kamara, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, could reportedly be on the trading block with contract discussions going south.
New Orleans Saints could trade Alvin Kamara?
After missing multiple days of practice with less than two weeks until the NFL season begins, the Saints have seemingly had enough. According to NFL reporter Josina Anderson, the Saints are open to trading Kamara.
The news comes as a shock given how impactful Kamara has been in this offense and how beloved he is by teammates and fans. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, he also was named second-team All-Pro after an incredible rookie season.
However, Kamara wasn’t nearly as explosive this past season. While he averaged 4.7 yards per carry and racked up 1,330 scrimmage yards, he only found the end zone six times a year after scoring 18 total touchdowns.
It’s worth noting that he played through knee, ankle and back injuries last year. The drop in explosiveness and agility could easily be attributed to his decision to play through a torn MCL for the majority of the season.
Kamara is still one of the NFL’s most talented running backs and is an elite playmaker. Set to become a free agent at the end of the 2020 season, he’s likely seeking to approach Christian McCaffrey’s record-setting extension.
It would still be surprising to see the Saints trade Kamara for a draft pick, given this team is in win-now mode with Drew Brees at quarterback. Notably, per The Athletic’s Larry Holder, New Orleans might be asking for a first-round pick to trade Kamara. Given the acquisition cost and the eventual contract it would take to sign him, that makes a blockbuster deal even more unlikely before Week 1.
However, this organization isn’t afraid to trade star players in an instant and it could be only a matter of time before Kamara is in a new uniform.