The New Orleans Saints’ best offensive weapon is staying in the Big Easy for a few more seasons.
Running back Alvin Kamara and the Saints have agreed to terms on a new two-year, $24.5 million extension, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet official.
The contract extension ties Kamara and New Orleans through the 2026 season.
The versatile running back has 438 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 34 receptions, 252 receiving yards and one touchdown catch this year.
Kamara is one of the top running backs in Saints franchise history. He’s the Saints’ franchise leader in yards from scrimmage (10,738) and his 60 rushing touchdowns ranks first. His 6,267 career rushing yards is No. 2 in team history and he’s just 233 rushing yards shy from becoming the Saints’ all-time leading rusher.
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The Saints drafted Kamara in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first season and has been selected to five Pro Bowls. He’s topped over 1,100 yards from scrimmage in his first seven seasons in a Saints uniform.
Kamara let it be known he yearned for a new contract before the start of the regular season. The running back left the Saints’ mandatory minicamp early amid the contract dispute.
“I want to be a Saint. You know what I’m saying? I want to retire here,” Kamara told reporters in July. “If I got to play football somewhere else, I’ll probably be somewhere with my feet kicked up in Africa somewhere, or something like that.’
Kamara’s two-year extension ensures he will be a Saint, and won’t have his feet kicked up in another continent.
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