Saints: Three reasons Alvin Kamara might consider hold out

His Historic Production

For players like Cook and Elliott, much of their gamble relies on the fact that they have produced on a level that they believe no one else on the team is capable of.

Being a top talent in the league at your respected position definitely grants some power to the player themself. If the team believes that they simply can’t win without you then they will almost certainly find a way to make ends meet and satisfy their workhorse.

Certain analysts and fans have made the argument in the past that the team doesn’t necessarily need Kamara in order for the team to win games.

Throughout this last season, Kamara missed full games where the Saints emerged victoriously and continued winning despite Kamara’s dip in production over the season. While this is an impressive feat of the team, it should not entirely diminish the worth of Kamara as a part of the offense.

For perspective, 2019 was without a doubt Kamara’s least productive season due to injuries, but he still managed to surpass 1,300 scrimmage yards for the third season in a row. Only one other Saint back has ever accomplished this task in their first three seasons aside from Kamara, and that player is the historic Deuce McAllister.

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Regardless of his significant dip in total touchdowns from his rookie and sophomore pace, Kamara also made his third Pro Bowl selection in his three years of playing.

It’s hard to disagree that players who play a higher percentage of downs should receive more compensation for their workhorse ability. Backs like McCaffrey and Elliott participate in about 90 percent of downs compared to the 70 percent that Kamara is on the field for.

However, considering that Kamara has had to share the spotlight with Mark Ingram for two years and his lower percentage of usage, his stats are even more impressive.

For a perspective, when compared to McCaffrey, Kamara has started in 17 fewer games but he has managed for three more touchdowns than the Panthers’ star.

Despite McCaffrey eclipsing 1,000 yards rushing this past season, Kamara only barely trails him in average yards per game with 53.5 to 60.8. McCaffrey does have 500 more receiving yards and 5 more receiving touchdowns, but one must consider who else is a scoring option on the team.

As a player, his production definitively places him as more valuable than other pass-catching backs like Austin Ekeler and his 24 million, four-year contract, but he isn’t quite in a position to argue for a historic contract like McCaffrey.

Kamara has proven his ability to be a top rusher and even secondary receiving option in his first three seasons, and his invaluable production gives Kamara’s camp even more leverage.