Saints five-time Pro Bowl RB prepared to pause contract talks

Alvin Kamara made it clear he was interested in adjusting his contract this offseason. However, no arrangement was made between the Pro Bowl back, and the Saints and both parties’ attention will now turn to the 2024 campaign.

Kamara has two years remaining on his contract, but the 2025 season calls for a non-guaranteed base salary of $22.4M. New Orleans would have a cap charge of just over $29M next season in the absence of a restructure, a release or a trade sending Kamara to a new team. Knowing how unrealistic that scenario is, the 29-year-old left the Saints’ minicamp early as part of an effort to work out a new arrangement.

2024 has Kamara set to collect $11.8M in what will all but certainly be the final year of his $75M 2020 extension. The running back market has not taken off like those of many other positions since that time, and his age is a factor working against his ability to land a lucrative third contract. Kamara did not engage in a training camp holdout as talks on a new deal occurred. With the regular season at hand, though, the time for negotiations has passed, and he is prepared to pick up talks in the spring (video link via Fletcher Mackel of WDSU).

Given the term left on his deal, Kamara was short on leverage in contract talks — which are not believed to have yielded much progress toward an agreement — entering the 2024 season. He could help his position with a strong campaign this year after he set a career low in rushing (694) and scrimmage (1,160) yards in 2023. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year missed three games due to suspension and was limited to only 12 contests last year; a fully healthy slate could lead to a rebound in production. Comments on his situation earlier in the summer suggested that Kamara would take this stance.

New Orleans also has veteran Jamaal Williams, 2023 third-rounder Kendre Miller and undrafted rookie Jordan Mims on the active roster in the backfield. Kamara is positioned to handle lead back duties again this year, and his showing in that role will inform how the Saints proceed with his contract next offseason.