By Dianna Russini, Jeff Howe and Jelani Scott
After a strong start to the 2024 season, Alvin Kamara officially played his way into another big payday with the New Orleans Saints.
Kamara and the Saints agreed to terms Tuesday on a two-year, $24.5 million extension that keeps the star running back under contract through 2026, his agent Brad Cicala said Tuesday. The new deal is worth $24.5 million over two years and will include $22.23 million guaranteed and a $15.5 million signing bonus, according to a team source.
New Orleans’ agreement with Kamara, who’s faced questions over his future in recent months, seemingly puts to an end any lingering tension between both parties stemming from the eight-year veteran’s offseason holdout. Despite the dispute, Kamara made it clear he wanted to stay with the team and eventually prepared to play out the fourth year of a five-year, $75 million contract extension he signed in 2020.
A 2-0 stretch to kick off the year saw Kamara log 198 rushing and 92 receiving yards with seven touchdowns as the 2017 third-round pick looked to bounce back from a lackluster 2023 campaign. Entering Week 8, however, Kamara and the Saints struggled mightily due partly to injuries to quarterback Derek Carr — still out with an oblique injury sustained in Week 5 — and other key players, leading to a five-game losing streak.
The news of Kamara’s deal brings positive news to the franchise amid a troublesome downturn in recent weeks, though the Saints still face a slew of questions as they try to turn things around.
Sunday’s road matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers will give Kamara and co. their next chance to get back on track, with the 29-year-old figuring to continue starring as an offensive focal point. During the season, Kamara boasts 111 carries for 438 rushing yards and 34 receptions for 252 receiving yards.
(Photo by Michael Owens / Getty Images)
