New Orleans Saints at a Crossroads with Alvin Kamara
The New Orleans Saints find themselves at a crucial juncture with their star running back, Alvin Kamara. Kamara’s future with the team remains in question following his early departure from the final practice of minicamp last week. According to his agent, Brad Cicala, the early departure stemmed from contract-related issues.
Kamara, who skipped OTAs this offseason, adhered to his long-standing routine by returning for mandatory minicamp. Despite the lingering uncertainty, Kamara has expressed his desire to remain with the Saints for the long term, stating last year that he wants to stay in New Orleans forever.
Kamara's Role in the 2024 Offense
Looking ahead, Kamara is anticipated to be a focal point of the Saints' 2024 offense under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Kamara’s performance in previous Saints offenses has been nothing short of stellar, catching at least 80 passes in each of his first four seasons and registering double-digit touchdowns in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Kubiak, who was the San Francisco 49ers' passing game coordinator last season, oversaw Christian McCaffrey’s career-high 1,459 rushing yards. McCaffrey, 28, received a lucrative two-year extension in June that averages $19 million annually and guarantees $24 million. In comparison, Kamara, who will turn 29 on July 25, faces potential performance decline, as running backs often peak at age 27 according to the Roster Management System. This system notes that running backs with at least four seasons of 100 rushing attempts tend to see a steady decline in yards after age 27.
Factors Affecting Kamara's Performance
Several external factors contributed to Kamara’s statistical decline. Notably, he was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Additionally, the Saints faced offensive line issues and encountered difficulties in the red zone during the first half of the season.
Financially, 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. While a restructure would not provide Kamara with new money, it could create temporary cap space by converting a portion of his base salary into a signing bonus, thereby lowering his cap number for the current year but increasing it in future years.
Financial Implications and Future Outlook
If the Saints choose to release Kamara in 2025 without modifying his current 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 will likely be addressed if Kamara remains with the team.
The Saints have approximately a month before reporting to training camp in Irvine, California. History provides a noteworthy precedent: Kamara missed five practices at the end of the 2020 offseason before agreeing to a new contract. Currently, he is signed through the 2025 season.
Quotes
Head Coach Dennis Allen commented on Kamara’s absence, stating, "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." Kamara’s commitment to the Saints was clear when he said, "I want a lifetime contract. I want to be here forever."
Kamara expressed optimism about the new offensive scheme: "You look at the history of this offense, I'll just say it's good for the running back. 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."
Despite comparisons with McCaffrey, Kamara maintains a team-first mentality: "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 a moment of awe from last season: "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." 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 approach training camp, the situation with Kamara remains fluid. His future with the team, both from a performance and financial standpoint, will be a focal point as negotiations and preparations for the upcoming season continue. The Saints and their fans will be watching closely, hoping for a resolution that keeps their star running back in New Orleans for the long term.