Alvin Kamara contract extension: Saints and RB star agree to new two-year contract

The New Orleans Saints’ top offensive weapon will remain in the Big Easy for several more seasons.

Running back Alvin Kamara and the Saints have agreed to a new two-year extension worth $24.5 million, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been formalized.

The contract extension ties Kamara to New Orleans through the 2026 season.

This year, the versatile running back has 438 yards, six rushing touchdowns, 34 receptions, 252 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Kamara is one of the best running backs in Saints franchise history. He leads the Saints in yards from scrimmage (10,738) and his 60 rushing touchdowns rank first. His 6,267 career rushing yards rank second in team history and he is just 233 yards away from becoming the Saints’ all-time leading rusher.

The Saints selected Kamara in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In his first season, he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was selected to five Pro Bowls. In his first seven seasons in a Saints uniform, he rushed for more than 1,100 yards from scrimmage.

Kamara made it clear that he wants a new contract before the start of the regular season. The running back left the Saints’ mandatory minicamp early due to a contract dispute.

“I want to be a saint. Do you know what I’m saying? I want to retire here,” Camara told reporters in July. “If I have to play football anywhere else, I’ll probably be somewhere with my feet up somewhere in Africa or something like that.”

Extending Kamara’s duration by two years will ensure that he becomes a Saint without having to travel to another continent.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alvin Kamara contract extension: Saints agree to deal with star RB