Saints Trading Alvin Kamara To Patriots Or Dolphins?
Alvin Kamara and the New Orleans Saints are doing a delicate dance right now. It seems like neither party is longing for a break-up.
The Saints have indicated they are all-in on a Super Bowl run in 2020, and Kamara understands that much of his success is due to his current team’s incredible offensive line and numerous weapons.
That said, multiple reports emerged this week that Kamara’s negotiations with New Orleans for a higher-paying deal took a wrong turn.
On Tuesday afternoon, after their star running back missed three consecutive practices, the Saints signaled that they would be open to dealing him.
Kamara, for his part, insisted he was surprised by the turn of events. In his words, he thought he and the organization were still in the process of negotiating.
Spoke to #Saints RB Alvin Kamara and his agent and neither has asked for or demanded a trade. As of today, they thought they were actively negotiating and making progress on an extension. Kamara has never threatened to hold out and has been in the building every day.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2020
So, where do things stand on Wednesday?
Tensions have seemingly cooled between all parties, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Saints and Alvin Kamara are not far apart in negotiations, per source, as Kamara has not asked for Christian McCaffrey money. Saints were open to trading Kamara for a 1 in light of absence but things calmed down, sides continue talking.
Four teams inquired about Kamara today.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 2, 2020
Still, the issue of Kamara’s new deal remains. The 25-year-old is said to want an extension that will pay him in the range of Christian McCaffrey’s $16 million per year. New Orleans wants to pay him closer to $12 million. There is a big gap there.
If something cannot ultimately be worked out, where will the Saints feel comfortable sending their disgruntled running back? Presumably the AFC.
Drugs are not cheap. https://t.co/lZhVrF0bbM
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 1, 2020
Two intriguing options are the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, a pair of organizations with which Kamara will be unlikely to come back and punish the Saints later in the year.
New England and New Orleans have played this game once before. The latter club sent the former wide receiver Brandin Cooks for a first round draft pick when he was in the final year of his rookie deal. Something similar could easily happen again for Kamara.
All signs point to Cam Newton winning the starting spot at quarterback for the Patriots. He will need offensive support of some sort. Kamara will provide that.
If not the Patriots, Miami could also step up to the plate and offer a meaningful package. The Dolphins have a first rounder they could part with and it will likely end up being a high one when everything is said and done.
Although the organization went out and picked up Matt Breida and Jordan Howard to address its inept rushing attack, neither player possesses the talent that Kamara does. He would instantly lighten the load for Ryan Fitzpatrick or Josh Rosen in the short term, and then Tua Tagovailoa in the long term.
NBA ratings noticeably declined after last week’s stoppage. https://t.co/DzvGJoEOjh
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 2, 2020
All in all, the smart money is still on New Orleans reaching a compromise of some sort with their star running back.
Again, the team has indicated that this is a make-or-break year where it’s Super Bowl or bust. You don’t retain 41-year-old Drew Brees at the expense of losing Teddy Bridgewater if that is not the preferred path.
But things happen. Running backs can be temperamental.
If something doesn’t get worked out between Kamara and New Orleans over the next week or so, don’t be surprised if trade talks heat up once more.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
