Sean Payton ‘confident’ in future Alvin Kamara deal

Sean Payton thinks an Alvin Kamara deal is coming soon

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton decided to use intriguing third-round pick Alvin Kamara in the same way he used Reggie Bush in the mid-2000s. Doing so has helped Kamara morph into one of the most explosive running backs in the league and one of the more effective receiving running backs in the league. Entering his fourth season, Kamara is eyeing up a new contract, and the Saints’ lack of financial wiggle room has them fearing Kamara could bolt.

Despite all the noise around Kamara and his lack of a new deal, Payton is confident that an extension will get done in the near future.

Alvin Kamara has earned a new deal, but the Saints are not financially flexible

Kamara has more than exceeded expectations as a third-round pick, recording 81 catches in each of his first three seasons while totaling just under 4,500 yards from scrimmage in that span. Both a No. 1 running back and a No. 2 wide receiver in terms of production, Kamara’s contract might border on the record-breaking.

The Saints are going all-in to try and get Drew Brees a championship ring in what could be his final season. Doing so has the Saints over the projected 2021 cap by an astounding $78 million. Adding Kamara to that number will only make it harder for the Saints to free up cap space as they transition to what will likely be the start of the post-Brees era.

Kamara has done everything in his power to earn a new contract from New Orleans given his importance in the offense. Unfortunately, the Saints might need to move some major pieces if they want to free up the money needed to sign Kamara long-term. Maybe that huge Taysom Hill contract isn’t looking so good to Mickey Loomis right now.