New Orleans Saints at a Crossroads with Alvin Kamara
New Orleans, La. — The New Orleans Saints find themselves at a critical juncture with their star running back, Alvin Kamara. Kamara's future with the team remains uncertain after he skipped the final practice of minicamp last week. His agent, Brad Cicala, attributed Kamara's early departure to contract-related issues.
Kamara did not attend OTAs this offseason but returned for mandatory minicamp, a routine he has followed for several years. Despite the uncertainty, Kamara expressed last year that he desires to remain in New Orleans for the long term. He is expected to be a focal point of the Saints' 2024 offense under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Kamara's Track Record
Alvin Kamara has thrived in previous Saints' offenses, catching at least 80 passes in each of his first four seasons and scoring double-digit touchdowns in 2017, 2018, and 2020. His versatility and consistent performance have made him a valuable asset to the team.
Comparison with Christian McCaffrey
Klint Kubiak, who served as the San Francisco 49ers' passing game coordinator last season, witnessed running back Christian McCaffrey thrive under his system. McCaffrey rushed for a career-high 1,459 yards. The 28-year-old, a first-round pick for the Carolina Panthers in 2017, received a two-year extension in June that will pay him an average of $19 million and guarantee him $24 million.
Alvin Kamara, who turns 29 on July 25, is one year older than McCaffrey. According to the Roster Management System, running backs with at least four seasons of 100 rushing attempts peak at age 27 and steadily decline in yardage afterward. Rushing attempts also peak at age 27, while rushing average peaks 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 for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Additionally, the Saints struggled with offensive line issues and had trouble 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 due to previous contract restructures in 2022 and 2023. A restructure 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 number is influenced by Kamara's inflated $22.4 million base salary for 2025, which would likely be addressed if Kamara remains with the team.
The Saints have about a month before they report to training camp in Irvine, California. Notably, 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 and Reactions
Head coach Dennis Allen remarked, "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."
Alvin Kamara has expressed his desire to stay, stating, "I want a lifetime contract. I want to be here forever." He also highlighted the benefits of Kubiak’s offensive system for his role, saying, "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."
Kamara elaborated on his outlook: "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 impressions, "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."
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."
The upcoming weeks will be crucial for both the Saints and Kamara as they navigate contract negotiations and prepare for the new season. Kamara's performance will be pivotal for the Saints' offensive success, making these discussions all the more significant.