Operating as the NFL’s restructure standard bearers for years, the Saints have not touched Alvin Kamara‘s deal this offseason. The veteran running back’s contract, which the team adjusted multiple times since it was finalized in 2020, now looms as one that could generate significant savings for the perennially cap-strapped team come 2025.
No running back has been tied to a deal longer than Kamara, who saw the Bengals ship Joe Mixon (extended in September 2020) to the Texans and the Packers cut Aaron Jones (re-signed in March 2021). The 49ers redid Christian McCaffrey‘s contract this offseason, moving the reigning Offensive Player of the Year off the April 2020 extension that had not been topped. Kamara’s accord still sits second among RBs in terms of AAV, but the former Pro Bowler sees how this process will likely play out.
Kamara left minicamp a day early due to a pursuit of a new deal but reported to training camp on time. Elaborating on his stance Wednesday, the eighth-year RB said (via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell) he is not asking for “anything crazy” terms-wise.
He does not have too much choice in the matter, but the former Sean Payton-era chess piece said (via NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill) he will play on his current contract if the Saints do not agree to adjust it. (Though, when asked to clarify that stance, Kamara was less definitive, per NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson.) The former third-round pick is not holding in, participating fully in New Orleans’ practice Wednesday.
Just ahead of Kamara’s fourth season, the Saints gave him a five-year, $75MM deal but one that included a phony final season — along the lines of the deals Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill would sign two years later — to inflate the AAV. Kamara’s deal no longer contains any guarantees, though as a vested veteran, he would see his 2024 base salary ($10.2MM) lock in just before Week 1. In 2025, however, the Saints could cut Kamara and save $18.9MM. Considering Mickey Loomis‘ operation is again projected to enter its own sector when it comes to cap hell — early OverTheCap projections have New Orleans $88MM-plus over next year, $40MM more than any other team — Kamara’s pact would be a natural place to turn for savings.
Kamara, who will turn 29 on Thursday, has been open to a restructure. The Saints went to that well in 2022 and 2023. Another restructure would put more dead money on future New Orleans caps, stripping the team of rare flexibility. The sides have not made progress here; Kamara confirmed as much today. The Saints will not pay Kamara his $22.4MM base salary in 2025, creating this staredown.
“I want to be a Saint; I want to retire here,” Kamara said, via Johnson. “If I’ve got to play football somewhere else, I’ll probably be somewhere with my feet kicked up in Africa somewhere. I want to be a Saint.”
Being tied to a non-rookie deal for five seasons is fairly rare territory for a modern running back, as Kamara has done well to collect most of the extension’s money. Opening his career with five straight Pro Bowls, Kamara has slowed down. Last year’s 1,160-yard output from scrimmage marked a career-low number, and the ex-Drew Brees sidekick produced the fourth-worst rushing yards over expected number (minus-99) last season. Kamara has missed 10 games — due to injury and his 2023 suspension — since 2021.
Barring a substantial pay-cut agreement for 2025, Kamara is likely going into his final season with the Saints. Battling uphill in his effort to land a new contract, Kamara can attempt to use this season as a bounce-back opportunity for what could be his final notable NFL deal next year.