Here's What a Reasonable Contract Extension for Saints RB Alvin Kamara Would Look Like

The first wave of NFL free agency has come and gone, and most analysts would agree that the New Orleans Saints have done an incredible job at strengthening their roster. However, the team's most important decision of the offseason still needs to be tackled.

Running back Alvin Kamara is entering the final year of his rookie contract, where he will pocket just over $2.1 million. In an ideal world, he'd like to secure his future prior to the 2020 season, so it's only right that we start brainstorming what a potential extension could look like for the 24-year-old star.

There's a lot to sort out here, including the groundbreaking four-year, $64 million deal that fellow backfield standout Christian McCaffrey inked with the division rival Carolina Panthers on Monday. Let's just say that Kamara, as great as he is, won't come close to banking $16 million annually.

Why? All told, he's just not as crucial to the Saints as McCaffrey, who totaled a whopping 403 touches last season, is to the Panthers. And that's not even meant as a slight against Kamara; it's a function of just how all-around terrific the New Orleans offense is.

Therefore, we could see Kamara receiving a four-year, $40 million extension, or something within that vicinity. Something like a three-year, $37 million deal wouldn't hurt either. The Saints -- or another potential suitor -- shouldn't be prepared to offer anything higher than $42 million total or anything longer than four years. Look no further than the colossal extension mistake the Rams made with Todd Gurley, whom they now still have to pay despite cutting him and seeing him sign elsewhere.

Indeed, just about every team has gone on to regret dolling out the big bucks to star running backs in recent years. With that in mind, the New Orleans should proceed with caution here given that their championship window won't stay open forever with an aging Drew Brees at QB.

A contract like the two mentioned above should satisfy Kamara, who doesn't carry the workload of a McCaffrey or an Ezekiel Elliott -- the league's two wealthiest tailbacks -- despite being the Saints' No. 1 runner and No. 2 pass -catcher.