Talk is often cheap in the NFL, but not when it comes to the New Orleans Saints and running back Alvin Kamara.
On Wednesday, the team and 2017 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year ended months of speculation by agreeing to a restructured contract keeping Kamara in New Orleans.
The five-time Pro Bowler has long expressed his commitment to the Saints, but the deal is still a surprising development in an industry where loyalty is rare.
Alvin Kamara, Saints deal removes doubt about star running back’s future with organization
The deal is the second between the Saints and a long-time franchise cornerstone this offseason, with the front office previously re-signing free-agent Cameron Jordan, who is entering his 16th season.
Kamara was set to play on the final year of a two-year, $24.5M contract while carrying a $10.4M cap number, per Over The Cap. His future came into question after the front office added free-agent running back Travis Etienne to a four-year, $48M contract in March and amid declining production.
Last season, Kamara set career lows in games played (11), rushing yards 471), total touchdowns (one) and yards per carry (3.6). At his previous price tag, it was hard to rationalize keeping the nine-year veteran, but a discount makes a return much more justifiable.
While specific terms of the deal weren’t immediately shared, NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill said, “The two sides are coming to a point where they’re agreeing on a new value, a lowered value from the $11M he was due to make.”
The loyalty between the Saints and Kamara is uncommon. While New Orleans could have cut ties with him, Kamara could have also forced the team’s hand by failing to renegotiate his contract.
But the fan (and one-time fantasy) favorite running back has consistently shared that he has no interest in playing elsewhere, including telling reporters ahead of last season’s trade deadline, “I don’t want to go anywhere.”
Earlier this offseason, Kamara shared that he was “excited” to partner with Etienne in the Saints backfield while later making an unexpected appearance at organized team activities (OTAs) ahead of the team’s mandatory minicamp.
In March, head coach Kellen Moore downplayed the impact of Etienne’s signing on Kamara’s future with the organization, sharing his belief that the two could coexist in the backfield.
The Saints shouldn’t expect the 2020 version of Kamara to run through the tunnel on Sundays this fall, and based on the initial reports, they won’t be paying for that kind of production.
While not at his peak, Kamara can still provide value in an ancillary role. On his lone 2025 touchdown, he glided effortlessly for an 18-yard score, quickly finding the outside edge and evading a diving defensive back before tip-toeing down the sideline and into the end zone.
ESPN’s Katherine Terrell pointed to comments former teammate Terron Armstead made on his “The Set” podcast that suggest Kamara could be more motivated than in years past.
“AK is hungry,” Armstead said. “I just talked to him. He’s p—ed off at the last couple of years and how the narrative has started to change that he can’t do this, he can’t do that.”
In plenty of other circumstances, the contract negotiations could have ended in divorce. But time and time again, Kamara has made it known there’s nowhere else he wants to play. After Wednesday, he may get his wish.