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. The absence was attributed to contract-related issues, according to his agent Brad Cicala.
Kamara did not attend Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this offseason, although he did report for mandatory minicamp—a routine he has followed for several years. Despite the existing uncertainty regarding his contract, Kamara has previously expressed a strong desire to remain in New Orleans for the long term.
Offensive Role Under New Coordination
Kamara is expected to play a pivotal role in the Saints' 2024 offense, now under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The running back has been a cornerstone of 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.
Comparison with Christian McCaffrey
Kubiak, who served as the San Francisco 49ers' passing game coordinator last season, witnessed the tremendous success of running back Christian McCaffrey under his system. McCaffrey rushed for a career-high 1,459 yards and secured a two-year extension valued at an average of $19 million per year, including $24 million guaranteed.
Interestingly, Kamara, who turns 29 on July 25, is only one year older than McCaffrey. Data from the Roster Management System indicates that running backs with at least four seasons of 100 rushing attempts typically peak at age 27 and experience a gradual decline in rushing yards thereafter. Rushing attempts generally peak at 27, while rushing averages reach their zenith between the ages of 24 and 26.
Factors Affecting Kamara's Performance
Several external factors contributed to Kamara's statistical decline. He was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Additionally, the Saints struggled with offensive line issues and red zone scoring difficulties in the first half of the season.
Kamara's cap number of $18.55 million in 2024 is the highest on the team due to contract restructures in 2022 and 2023. A potential restructure would not provide Kamara with new money but would create temporary 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 opted to release Kamara in 2025 without altering his contract, they could save between $18.9 million to $25 million against the salary cap. However, this figure is impacted by Kamara's inflated base salary of $22.4 million for 2025, which would likely be addressed if he 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 securing a new contract. He is currently signed through the 2025 season.
Quotes from Key Figures
"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 head coach Dennis Allen.
Kamara himself reiterated his commitment to the team, stating, "I want a lifetime contract. I want to be here forever."
Reflecting on the offensive system, Kamara shared, "You look at the history of this offense, I'll just say it's good for the running back."
Expressing his optimism about the new offensive coordination, he added, "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."
Quarterback Derek Carr also praised Kamara's capabilities, recounting an impressive moment 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."
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak highlighted his ongoing communication with Kamara: "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 coming weeks will be crucial in determining Alvin Kamara's future with the New Orleans Saints. As training camp approaches, both the player and the organization will need to navigate these contract-related challenges while focusing on upcoming football endeavors.