Alvin Kamara Nearing Massive Payday Thanks to the Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey
The landscape for contracts for running backs in the NFL was shifted yet again on Tuesday after Christian McCaffrey inked a record-breaking deal with the Carolina Panthers. That has reset the market for upcoming contract talks with other premier players at the position who are due for a new deal with their respective teams. That has put star running back Alvin Kamara front center as he had a priceless reaction to McCaffrey‘s new deal as he approaches discussions on his next contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Christian McCaffrey’s record-breaking deal
Over the last few weeks, the dialogue around the Carolina Panthers has regarded McCaffrey‘s contract situation with the franchise.
The 23-year-old was set to enter the final year of his four-year rookie deal, which put more pressure on the Panthers to get a new contract worked out to avoid any lingering dialogue. Carolina didn’t waste any time this offseason as it was revealed on Monday afternoon that McCaffrey had inked a record-breaking four-year extension that will pay him $16 million annually.
The All-Pro running back has more than put himself in the position to earn that honor as he put forth historical production in his first three years in the league. McCaffrey is coming off a career-best campaign, where he finished third with 1,387 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns along with being second with 116 receptions for 1,005 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
McCaffrey has become arguably the best all-around player at his position and should have several more highly productive campaigns ahead of him. At the same time, the new extension could have a ripple effect across the league, impacting the likes of one Saints’ Pro Bowl running back.
Alvin Kamara’s reaction to Christian McCaffrey’s deal
It didn’t take long for the news of McCaffrey’s new historic extension to travel across the league.
Plenty of positive reactions followed, which included Kamara, who was playing Call of Duty at the time that the deal was revealed. The Pro Bowler’s initial response was priceless as he voiced “here I come” before laughing it off then stated that he doesn’t concern himself with the contract details.
“Hey man, look, I don’t even. I just play football. I’m just a football guy. I don’t worry with all these contracts and all these things, all this money.”
Kamara looks to be the next running back in line to receive a lucrative extension as he’s set to enter the final year of his four-year rookie deal. Beyond the Saints bringing back Drew Brees on another contract next on the agenda will be to lock in their star running back for the next several years.
The question now becomes for how much New Orleans will commit to on the potential extension with Kamara that could come about in the next few weeks or months.
Will the Saints break the bank for Alvin Kamara?
That is the million-dollar question that the Saints will have to face at some point this offseason eventually.
It’s an inevitable conversation that the team will have with Kamara to keep him under contract for the next several seasons. That now becomes an even more complex discussion due to McCaffrey’s new deal raising that asking price a bit higher.
Over his first three years in the league, Kamara has proven to be one of the most versatile running backs in the league as a bonafide dual-threat elite talent. That saw him join Hershecl Walker and Abner Haynes as only the third player in NFL history to notch at least 500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons.
Kamara is a unique talent in the league, but it will be interesting to see how the Saints approach the contract talks. He has shown to be a versatile asset, but the team has thrived off having a split-carry duties with Latavius Murray and before that Mark Ingram. Kamara has more than proven his worth, but the real question will be how much does New Orleans believes that should translate to in his next deal.
