Saints are open to trading Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara wants a new contract, but the Saints are unlikely to budge

The Saints don’t have a ton of cap space in 2020 and beyond, so the timing isn’t ideal for Alvin Kamara to politely suggest a raise by sitting out practice a mere weeks before the season. Kamara’s actions have reportedly angered the Saints to the point where they’d be willing to trade the star running back rather than give in to his demands.

Whether a negotiating ploy or very serious tactic to advance trade interest, the Saints have just heightened the drama surrounding Kamara’s situation from 0 to 100 real quick. Kamara, who is still on his rookie deal, isn’t bluffing in his quest for financial improvement. He’s making just over $2.1 million heading into his fourth season in the NFL. At 25 years old, the time is now to cash in.

Would the Saints actually trade Alvin Kamara?

This does not seem wise for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Kamara makes up so much of New Orleans’ offensive attack, and with Drew Brees seemingly aging every game he plays, the Saints will have to rely even more on the Tennessee product.

On the same day Joe Mixon signed a contract which will pay him around $12 million annually, Kamara rightfully wants what’s his before the Saints run him into the ground.

Per Charles Robinson, the Saints were fine giving Kamara $12 million per year, but his expectations are closer to the contract Christian McCaffrey received, which is around $16 million per season. That’s a wide gap, and Kamara’s argument may have been proven correct with Mixon’s contract reaching the $12 million range on Tuesday. As good as Mixon is, Kamara brings more to the table and has more of a total impact on the Saints’ offensive success. He knows this.

There is no good time for the Saints to trade one of their best offensive weapons, but weeks before their Week 1 matchup against Buccaneers is far from ideal. For now, it’s a distraction they’ll have to afford.