The Dallas Cowboys and superstar running back Ezekiel Elliott agreed to terms on a groundbreaking contract extension Wednesday, adding six years and $90 million in new money to Elliott’s current deal. Combined with the two years remaining on Elliott’s contract and he’s signed on to play through 2026, earning $103 million along the way.

That’s divine music to the ears of New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who will cash in just $807,500 this year. Kamara’s negotiating window with the Saints opens up next March, and all signs point to the Saints making him a priority.

Just look at all of the contracts the Saints worked on this summer, all well ahead of schedule. Kicker Wil Lutz was first; thanks to his restricted free agent status, the Saints could have waited until next offseason to re-sign him long-term. Instead, they inked him to a five-year extension. The same was true of wide receiver Michael Thomas, who hit the $100 million number with his own five-year deal. Defensive end Cameron Jordan signed his second big-money contract with the Saints, securing his future through 2023. New Orleans has been proactive at every turn.

And it makes sense for them to get out in front of as many free agent situations as possible, considering who will be testing the market in future years. Next offseason, they’ll have to deliberate over new contracts for Pro Bowl guard Andrus Peat, starting safety Vonn Bell, defensive lineman David Onyemata, and all three of their quarterbacks (unlike Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgeater, Taysom Hill will be a restricted free agent). Kamara is just one member of the team’s 2021 free agent class, along with the Saints’ other Pro Bowl guard, Larry Warford, starting defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins, and veteran players like linebacker Demario Davis and tight end Jared Cook. Thanks to their fifth-year options, second-team All-Pro right tackle Ryan Ramczyk and Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore won’t be due huge contracts until 2022.

But let’s refocus on Kamara. He won’t have the same arguments to make in contract talks as Elliott, because their styles of play and situations are so different. Elliott is an old-school battering ram, averaging 21.7 rushing attempts per game while leading the NFL in yards per game in each of his first three seasons. He’s a fine but not still-developing asset on passing downs, catching more passes in 2018 (77) than his first two years combined (58).

Contrast that with Kamara, who is in every way the modern NFL running back. What Kamara lacks in volume (by design of the Saints offense, which previously paired him with Mark Ingram and will now split his touches with Latavius Murray) he makes up for in efficiency. Kamara has averaged half as many carries per game (10.1) but gains almost half a yard more per attempt (5.1) than Elliott (4.7). Kamara has played nine fewer games than Elliott but trails his career touchdown runs (28) by just six of his own (22).

And while Elliott has advanced on his third-down usage, there’s no mistaking him for Kamara. The Saints playmaker is a true chess-piece, lining up not just in the backfield but at any of the three receiver spots. He’s caught exactly 81 passes in each of his first two NFL seasons, averaging 49.5 receiving yards per game against Elliott’s 30.0. The added dimension Kamara brings in passing situations is a chip he can play in negotiations that Elliott can only theorize about.

A rising tide lifts all ships, and that’s the case with NFL contracts these days. The best players at every position don’t always earn the most money, but it helps; whoever’s next in line and least-replaceable typically raises the standard. With per-year salaries on the rise across the board, even at running back (Elliott will be averaging $15 million per season; before him, Todd Gurley earned $14.375 million and Le’Veon Bell got $13.125 million), Kamara will be in prime position to reset the market again after Elliott’s done it.

The $90 million Elliott just earned ($50 million of it guaranteed) will set the bar for Kamara when he and the Saints open negotiations, likely right after the upcoming season. Kamara will have every right to make an argument to join the $100 million club. Whether the Saints are willing to make such a long-term investment can’t be guessed. But they’ve shown a recent willingness to open the checkbook when working on deals ahead of schedule, and Kamara’s situation should be no different.