What's a reasonable contract extension for Kamara to avoid possible holdout? (1 Viewer)

[Doug B]

I don't think it should be that high. I'd even go sub 10mil. Main reason being is he is a split time back.

That's kind of where I hit the wall in comparing Kamara directly to Bell and Johnson. Both guys, when healthy, were 30-touch guys every week.

 

[Loose Cannon]

That's kind of where I hit the wall in comparing Kamara directly to Bell and Johnson. Both guys, when healthy, were 30-touch guys every week.

I'm assuming he and his agent's strategy would be to approach his free agency as if he's a full-time back that was in a part-time back role because that's what the coaches wanted.

I think it's highly unlikely a player with his talent is going to say "yeah, I'm basically Darren Sproles". They'll likely be looking for a team that is going to treat him (and pay him) like a feature back.

The question is - will there be a team that sees him that way? I'd imagine so. He's really, really good.

IF that is what happens then he can either sit out the year saving the Saints $977.5 mil or play for the same amount and try again next year or walk out as a free agent. With the numerous starters and key contributors that are set to be free agents (and one RFA in Taysom) tat the Saints need to sign plus leave enough space for the drafted rookies and some for emergency signings during the seaon I don't see anyway the team can afford to extend anyone still under contract next year.

Well, yeah. That's what he'd do - he'd just wait for his free agency.

 

[Stalwart385]

I'm assuming he and his agent's strategy would be to approach his free agency as if he's a full-time back that was in a part-time back role because that's what the coaches wanted.

I think it's highly unlikely a player with his talent is going to say "yeah, I'm basically Darren Sproles". They'll likely be looking for a team that is going to treat him (and pay him) like a feature back.

The question is - will there be a team that sees him that way? I'd imagine so. He's really, really good.





Well, yeah. That's what he'd do - he'd just wait for his free agency.

I agree. I think he will (and should) be a split time back here. If someone wants to pay him as a feature guy he walks. No reason to pay a guy to take 30-35 snaps when you know you won't give him but 20-25 and may still struggle to finish 16 games strong.

It's up to him if he wants a long career (like Ingram) or just wants the biggest payday.

 

[Loose Cannon]

I agree. I think he will (and should) be a split time back here. If someone wants to pay him as a feature guy he walks. No reason to pay a guy to take 30-35 snaps when you know you won't give him but 20-25 and may still struggle to finish 16 games strong.

Great post. The Saints always have 2 RBs, so they never use a single guy as a "feature back", even if some years one guy is more ball-dominant than the other. However you personally feel about Payton's usage of RBs, it doesn't make sense to pay him for 350 touches when he's getting 225.

 

[Merl]

Fournette is on a rookie contract. Hard to use a rookie contract as a measuring stick. It's just based on draft slot. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe all 1st round contracts are fully guaranteed.

On that chart change "all types" to "veteran" to see contracts players earned in the market.

While there is nothing in the CBA that says a 1st round rookie deal has to be fully guaranteed they are almost always. There might be a few very late 1st round picks that only got 3 years fully but those would be few. Ingram was around 24th and his was fully guaranteed in the 2012 draft.

 

[Doug B]

I'm assuming he and his agent's strategy would be to approach his free agency as if he's a full-time back that was in a part-time back role because that's what the coaches wanted.

I think it's highly unlikely a player with his talent is going to say "yeah, I'm basically Darren Sproles". They'll likely be looking for a team that is going to treat him (and pay him) like a feature back.

I understand, then, why you feel like the Saints won’t end up re-signing Kamara. I can’t really poke holes in your analysis.

 

[Saint Kamara]

4 year 60 million dollar extension is gonna be what his agent will demand, with 45 of it guaranteed.

You think that's happening?

He'll be a free agent in 2021. Good luck Alvin.

 

[FLSaintzFan]

I don't believe we can keep him. Trading to a team we rarely play is the best option, after a few games next season. Otherwise, Payton will over use him, and he will again be injured and of less value. I love Kamara, and he's been a wonder, but, long term isn't in the cards.

 

[limeyjohn]

It all depends on whether or not he decides to hold out, if so try to trade him ( could see The Ravens as a very possible candidate ), if not see how he does through first 8 games and give him a good payday

 

[dutar76]

I don't recall the Saints ever paying a RB top dollar. But up until the last couple of years, Sean Payton has always run a true committee backfield. Kamara is the closest thing to a one-all-be-all RB we've seen in New Orleans in 15 years or so.

They'll try to get a deal done this offseason. Saints will offer what they think is fair and Kamara will likely turn it down and decide to sit out. At that point, a decision will have to be made on whether we pay him or trade him. The timing on this is what interests me. If the Saints don't try to move him before the draft, then it should tell us that they believe they can get a deal done. If it's obvious that we're not going to keep him, we're going to want that draft capital this year, not next.

Bills are just starting to become due. MT was just the beginning. AK and Bell are next up. Still to come are Lattimore, Rankins, M. WIlliams, etc... One thing is obvious to me. We won't keep Kamara for less than $10 to $12 million per year. I feel like we're going to want to find a way to keep him, I'm just not sure that we can actually meet the demands and find a way to hold on to the rest of our young stars. And this doesn't even get into our QB/cap situation.

But honestly, we're paying MT dang near $20 million per year and Jared Cook $7.5 million per year. Paying Kamara $10 to $12 million per year isn't really all that outrageous when you consider that the three of them are basically our entire offense at the moment.

 

[DeuceisaBEAST!]

I think he’s a goner too
Unless he takes about 4-5 yr 35-40 mil
I think they trade him or they don’t pick up the 5 yr option

 

[saintfan1972]

I think he’s a goner too
Unless he takes about 4-5 yr 35-40 mil
I think they trade him or they don’t pick up the 5 yr option

There is no 5th yr option. That's only for 1st rounders. I've said this all along and have gotten flamed for it and that's fine, but imo the only option is to trade him before the draft. Get what we can now. I wouldn't pay him what hes gonna want with everyone else to sign.

The Saints have always been able to find RBs. I like Kamara but not for 10 mil a year.

 

[wnelson]

trade him.... we cant afford a 10+ mil running back who disappears.

 

[insidejob]

Ingram was the back that made the running game successful in AK's first two years and he only got paid $4.5/year. AK thinking he's worth triple that is delusional. (If he actually thinks that, of course.)

Coming off his least productive (not just yardage, but explosive plays, TD's , etc.) season, I don't think he's in the strongest position to make wild demands. If he's smart, wants to extend his career, keep the coach that made him OROY and could possible make him OPOY in the future, he'll negotiate in good faith with the Saints and get a deal done. If not, we'd have to think about trading him this year so we don't just lose him to UFA after next season.

 

[Jeff Miller]

8.5 million a year for 4 years seems reasonable to me.