New Orleans Saints at a Crossroads with Alvin Kamara
New Orleans, La. -- The New Orleans Saints find themselves in a precarious position regarding their star running back, Alvin Kamara. His future with the team is uncertain after he skipped the final practice of minicamp last week due to contract-related issues, as stated by his agent, Brad Cicala.
Kamara did not attend OTAs this offseason but returned for the mandatory minicamp, a routine he has followed for several years. Despite the current uncertainty, Kamara expressed last year his desire to remain in New Orleans for the long term. He is poised to be a focal point of the Saints' offense in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Kamara's Performance and Potential
Historically, Kamara has been a vital player for the Saints, catching at least 80 passes in each of his first four seasons and scoring double-digit touchdowns in 2017, 2018, and 2020. This suggests that he has the potential to thrive under nearly any offensive system, including the one led by Kubiak.
Kubiak, who served as the San Francisco 49ers' passing game coordinator last season, helped running back Christian McCaffrey achieve career success. McCaffrey rushed for a career-high 1,459 yards, and this performance led to a lucrative two-year extension that averages $19 million annually and guarantees $24 million. Kamara, who turns 29 on July 25, is a year older than McCaffrey and may seek a similarly rewarding deal.
Factors Affecting Kamara's Performance
Several external factors contributed to Kamara's statistical decline last season. Firstly, he was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Additionally, the Saints faced issues with their offensive line and struggled to score in the red zone, especially in the first half of the season.
Moreover, Kamara's cap number of $18.55 million for 2024 is the highest on the team due to previous contract restructures in 2022 and 2023. Restructuring his contract again would not provide Kamara with additional 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 opt to release Kamara in 2025 without modifying his contract, they could save anywhere from $18.9 million to $25 million against the salary cap. This potential saving is largely influenced by Kamara's inflated $22.4 million base salary for 2025, which would likely need to be addressed if Kamara remains with the team.
With about a month before the Saints report to training camp in Irvine, California, the situation remains fluid. Notably, Kamara missed five practices at the end of the 2020 offseason before eventually receiving a new contract. He is currently signed through the 2025 season, but his future with the team hinges on resolving these contract issues.
Quotes and Reactions
"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," said Saints head coach Dennis Allen, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty.
Despite the chaos, Kamara remains optimistic about his future with the Saints. "I want a lifetime contract. I want to be here forever," he stated.
Referring to the history of the Saints' offense under Kubiak, Kamara remarked, "You look at the history of this offense, I'll just say it's good for the running back." He further emphasized his excitement, adding, "You watch some of the past offenses that Klint has been able to operate and most recent, you look at Christian [McCaffrey] and what he was able to do. I'm excited for that."
Kamara also addressed comparisons with McCaffrey modestly: "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."
Quarterback Derek Carr shared his perspective, saying, "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."
Lastly, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak added, "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."
As the Saints navigate this crucial period, the resolution of Kamara's contract issues will significantly impact both the player's future and the team's offensive prospects for the upcoming seasons.