New Orleans Saints at a Crossroads with Alvin Kamara
New Orleans, La. – The New Orleans Saints find themselves at a critical juncture regarding their star running back, Alvin Kamara. The uncertainty surrounding Kamara's future arises after he missed the final practice of the team's minicamp last week.
According to his agent, Brad Cicala, the early departure from minicamp stemmed from contract-related issues. Kamara had not attended OTAs this offseason but showed up for the mandatory minicamp, a routine he has maintained for several years.
Despite the recent uncertainty, Kamara expressed his long-term loyalty to the team last year, stating his desire to remain in New Orleans indefinitely. He is expected to be a significant focus of the Saints' 2024 offense under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Kamara has thrived in previous Saints offenses, consistently catching at least 80 passes in each of his first four seasons and scoring double-digit touchdowns in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Comparison with Christian McCaffrey
Kubiak's arrival in New Orleans brings an interesting dynamic, given his previous role as passing game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. Under Kubiak's system, running back Christian McCaffrey thrived, rushing for a career-high 1,459 yards.
The 28-year-old McCaffrey, a first-round pick for the Carolina Panthers in 2017, earned a two-year extension in June, securing an average of $19 million per year and $24 million guaranteed.
Kamara, who turns 29 on July 25, is slightly older than McCaffrey. According to the Roster Management System, running backs with at least four seasons and 100 rushing attempts peak at age 27, with yards steadily declining thereafter. Rushing attempts also peak at age 27, while rushing averages peak between ages 24-26.
Factors Affecting Kamara's Performance
Several external factors have contributed to Kamara's statistical decline. He was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season due to a violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Additionally, the Saints struggled with offensive line issues and faced difficulties scoring in the red zone during the first half of the season.
Kamara's cap number of $18.55 million in 2024 is the highest on the team, a result of previous contract restructures in 2022 and 2023. A restructure now would not provide Kamara with any new money but would temporarily create cap space by converting a portion of his base salary into a signing bonus. This move would lower his cap number for the current year while increasing it in future years.
Financial Implications and Future Outlook
If the Saints chose to release Kamara in 2025 without altering his contract, they could save anywhere from $18.9 million to $25 million against the salary cap. However, this figure is influenced by Kamara's inflated $22.4 million base salary for 2025, which would likely be addressed should Kamara remain with the team.
The Saints have about a month before they report to training camp in Irvine, California. It is noteworthy that Kamara missed five practices at the end of the 2020 offseason before receiving a new contract. He is currently signed through the 2025 season.
Quotes
"I haven't had a chance to talk to him, so I'm not sure why he wasn't out here for the rest of practice." - Dennis Allen
"I want a lifetime contract. I want to be here forever." - Alvin Kamara
"You look at the history of this offense, I'll just say it's good for the running back." - Alvin Kamara
"You watch some of the past offenses that Klint has been able to operate and most recently, you look at Christian [McCaffrey] and what he was able to do. I'm excited for that." - Alvin Kamara
"I'm not a stat dude. I don't stack myself up against other guys. You talk about Christian and all, me and Christian talk. I enjoy watching him play. I enjoy when he's able to do the things he does. Personally, I enjoy when I'm having success. But I think my message has been the same since I've been here... whatever's asked of me, I just do that." - Alvin Kamara
"There was a play last year where I handed him the ball, and I remember I was like 'Well that's not open.' ... I turned around and he hit an explosive burst that I've never seen before. And when he showed up [at minicamp], I handed him the ball, and it just feels different." - Derek Carr
"I have talked to him when he was here the last couple of days. He's been great, talked to him on the phone, even when he was gone [for OTAs]. We've been in constant communication." - Klint Kubiak