NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints and running back Alvin Kamara have agreed on a two-year, $24.5 million contract extension that runs through the 2026 season.
The deal, announced by the Saints on Tuesday night, comes after Kamara expressed dissatisfaction with his contract situation during training camp — even as he decided against holding out.
The versatile Kamara has eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage in all seven of his previous seasons and is the franchise's all-time leader in touchdowns with 85.
This season, Kamara has started all seven of New Orleans’ games, rushing for 438 yards with six touchdowns and catching a team-high 34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown that covered 57 yards.
Because of the way Kamara's previous contract was structured, he was likely to be cut before next season, when he would have been due close to $25 million in non-guaranteed salary. Kamara said he wasn't seeking a raise, but rather an extension that would provide him guaranteed money during future seasons.
Kamara said he decided against holding out because he did not want to let down teammates and coaches who, he noted, played no role in his previously stalled contract negotiations.
The Saints took Kamara in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Tennessee. He went on to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
In addition to the Saints record in touchdowns, Kamara leads the franchise in rushing touchdowns with 60, yards from scrimmage with 10,738 and all-purpose yardage with 11,396.
His 6,267 yards rushing ranks second in Saints history. He needs 234 yards to surpass Mark Ingram for that club record.
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New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) hugs Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton after an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. The Broncos won 33-10. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, right, is congratulated by tight end Juwan Johnson after scoring against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, left, runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit rapper Eminem stepped into the political arena Tuesday in his hometown, where he spoke briefly at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris ' presidential campaign before welcoming former President Barack Obama to the stage.
“As most of you know, the city of Detroit and the whole state of Michigan mean a lot to me. And going into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever,” Eminem, a longtime critic of former President Donald Trump, told the crowd. “And I think it’s important to use your voice. So I’m encouraging everybody to get out and vote.”
He said people shouldn't be afraid of retribution or of making their opinion known, adding that Harris "supports a future for this country where these freedoms and many others will be protected and upheld.”
The Detroit rapper then introduced Obama, who took the stage to the beat of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself." The former president joked that he “noticed my palms are sweaty,” a reference to the hit song, before rapping several lines from it.
The appearance by Obama and Eminem comes just days before early voting kicks off across Michigan. Democrats hope the star-studded event, which also featured former Lions wide receiver and NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, will boost enthusiasm among voters.
Voter turnout in Detroit, a longtime Democratic stronghold, will be crucial in determining who wins the state in November, when Michigan is among a handful of swing states expected to determine who wins the presidency as well as control of the U.S. Senate. Democrat Elissa Slotkin, who faces Republican Mike Rogers for an open Senate seat, appeared alongside Obama at the rally.
Obama attacked Trump as unfit, citing recent incidents such as the town hall where Trump opted to hold an impromtu concert of sorts, swaying back and forth to various songs for about 40 minutes rather than taking questions from voters.
“If your grandpa was acting like this, you’d be worried,” Obama said. “This is somebody who wants unchecked power. We do not need to see what an older, loonier Donald Trump looks like with no guardrails. America’s ready to turn the page.”
Trump has made his own bid for Detroit, appearing with hometown rapper Trick Trick at a rally in the city last week. Trick Trick previously collaborated with Eminem on the track “Welcome 2 Detroit."
Obama and other speakers Tuesday, which included many top Democratic leaders in the state, capitalized on comments Trump made in Detroit earlier this month, when he said it was a “developing” city.
“The whole country will be like — you want to know the truth? It’ll be like Detroit,” Trump said as he addressed the Detroit Economic Club. “Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she’s your president.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who spoke in the leadup to Eminem and Obama, snapped back Tuesday.
“I know you all saw what he said about this beautiful city. He called Detroit a failure and a mess, proving he ain’t firing on all cylinders," Whitmer said. "He doesn’t have a clue what the hell he was talking about. And you know what I think? He ought to keep Detroit out of his mouth.”
Former President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Former President Barack Obama looks on at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Former President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Rapper Eminem arrives to speak before former President Barack Obama at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Rapper Eminem, right, greets former President Barack Obama, left, on stage at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Rapper Eminem, right, greets former President Barack Obama, left, on stage at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Rapper Eminem, center, greets the crowd on stage with former President Barack Obama, left, at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
