Team news: New Orleans Saints | Page 39

RB Alvin Kamara and the Saints have reached agreement on a new five-year contract worth $75 million in new money.

Rumors and speculation were floating that the Saints were maybe discussing trading Kamara, but it was always more likely Kamara would get a new contract from the Saints, who always tend to kick the salary cap can down the road. The deal includes a $15 million signing bonus. As we saw last season, even with Latavius Murray in the mix, Kamara's workload really isn't diminished and this contract only furthers that development. Kamara clocks in at No. 7 on our Week 1 running back board against an improved Tampa Bay defense.

During an appearance on NFL Network Tuesday, Aaron Jones said that conversations with the team are ongoing.

“Yes, they definitely are. My agent and them are taking care of that. I’m gonna focus on football,” Jones said.

Related players: Jamaal Williams, A.J. Dillon

The team drafted Dillon this past spring but we just posted a news story said Dillon will likely remain the team's RB3. The story said the two sides were talking back in May.

The Saints and running back Alvin Kamara are getting close to a contract extension.

The Saints aren't in great shape for the 2021 salary cap, according to reports. But, the two sides are “extremely close” to a “lucrative” extension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. There’s been talk in recent days that Kamara is unhappy that he hasn’t been extended and even the Saints were looking to trade him.

Don’t expect A.J. Dillon to unseat Jamaal Williams anytime soon.

The story said people have been mesmerized by Dillon’s stature, especially his tree-trunk quads, but Williams can catch the football. Dillon hasn’t shown yet that he can in a game. Running backs coach Ben Sirmans said that’s the biggest difference between the two. In Matt LaFleur’s offense, you’d better be able to catch if you’re a running back, and that’s why Williams won’t drift away just yet, the story all said.

The Raiders are making some changes in their quarterback room.

Marcus Mariota, the backup quarterback who has been struggling with a strained pectoral muscle, has been placed on injured reserve. Under the NFL’s rules for the 2020 season, that means Mariota can return after three weeks.

DeShone Kizer, who spent last season with the Raiders, has been added to their practice squad. A 2017 second-round pick of the Browns, Kizer has some playing experience, both in Cleveland and in Green Bay, and could be called upon in an emergency.

Related players: Derek Carr, Nathan Peterman

Carr, of course, remains the starter but the only other healthy QB on the roster is Peterman at this point.

A source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Alvin Kamara was also seeking treatment for a back issue during those practice absences. But Kamara returned to practice fully last week and said Monday that he is not concerned about the back being an issue.

"It's something light," Kamara said. "I kind of dealt with it a little bit last camp too. Just a little flare-up, just a little [sacroiliac] joint flare-up. It just needed some rest, a little injection, but nothing serious."

Kamara is heading into the final year of his rookie contract. But so far he and the Saints have been unable to bridge the gap between their desires on a long-term extension, the story said. There were reports the Saints would be open to trading Kamara while other reports said the two sides were getting close.