The New Orleans Saints managed to retain another long-time veteran, this time running back Alvin Kamara.
Rumors swirled Wednesday afternoon before it was announced that the former Tennessee Volunteer would agree to a new deal with the Black and Gold. Nick Underhill and former Saints offensive lineman Terron Armstead broke the news.
Terms of the new contract have yet to be made public. We will update you with the terms of the contract when it’s made available.
A big question heading into the 2026 offseason was whether Kamara would suit up for the Saints again. The issue was further brought up in media circles covering the team when the New Orleans front office made a big splash signing in free agency. General Manager Mickey Loomis brought in Jennings native Travis Etienne Jr, who wrapped up a third 1,000-yard rushing season after spending four years in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The team also previously restructured Kamara’s contract, yet he accounted for around $10.5 million in cap space for this upcoming 2026-27 season. The silence from Kamara’s camp caused concern as to what the team would do. Were they to keep him under his current deal, or release him to save some money in the next couple of seasons?
Ultimately, neither will happen, and Kamara will be a part of a 1-2 punch in the backfield next season, running behind second-year quarterback Tyler Shough and alongside Etienne Jr. Other running backs currently on the roster are Devin Neal, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime, Ty Chandler, and CJ Donaldson.
Kamara’s 2025-26 season didn’t go as planned, as he missed a career-high six games, creating career lows in rushing yards, touchdowns, and other statistical categories. The last few years haven’t been on AK41’s side, and the built-up “frustration and hunger” (as described by Armstead) will give Kamara extra motivation to close out his career on a high note. The new deal also further builds on the point that Kamara wants to spend his entire playing career as a member of the Saints.
Saints training camp 2026 will begin on Tuesday, July 28th. Practices will go until the end of the preseason, with off days scattered throughout. The first preseason game will be vs the Jaguars on August 15th.