Alvin Kamara could see a nine-figure payday thanks to Ezekiel Elliott
Ezekiel Elliott set the bar for young star running backs to get paid, and Saints Alvin Kamara may follow his lead after next season.
There’s no denying that the best of the best are certainly being paid like it in the NFL. Saints’ Alvin Kamara has asserted himself as the best of the best when it comes to breaking tackles, getting in the open, and playmaking as a premier running back.
And, he’ll likely be paid like it soon enough.
Arguably the best young running back in the league, Ezekiel Elliott got paid this offseason after threatening to hold out. No one really knew where the two sides were in contract negotiations until days before the Cowboys first game when the details were announced.
A six-year, $90 million contract that’ll have $50 million in guaranteed money is what Zeke, the former Ohio State Buckeye standout, will be playing on next season. That was record-breaking money for the 24-year-old that notched over 2,000 yards from scrimmage last season.
Zeke getting paid, along with Saints’ superstar wide receiver Michael Thomas seeing a nine-figure payday this offseason, is setting up Kamara to ask for that nine-figure price tag. After all, isn’t the 24-year-old proving that he’s worth it?
Not only has he assisted in lengthening future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees career, but he’s been huge in the development of this Super Bowl-contending team.
The Saints were the NFC’s best regular-season team and were one pass interference call away from an appearance on the NFL’s brightest stage. It wasn’t all Kamara, but he was certainly a large part of the team’s overall success.
Kamara improved upon a wildly successful rookie season last year. He neared 1,600 all-purpose yards and, with over 80 receptions in a second-straight season, proved that he can be both a pass-catching and hard-nosed-running back.
It’ll be difficult for the Saints’ management to justify spending that much on just two offensive weapons. Will they have enough to maintain a capable offensive line and then well into their defensive depth?
Giving Kamara a contract like that will raise questions, but if he learned anything from Zeke, it’s that if you’ve proven you’re worth the money, don’t settle for less. Will Kamara be a Saint past 2021 if these two sides decide to not see eye-to-eye on his impact.
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I guess we’ll see next offseason.