The New Orleans Saints have arrived at a crossroads with franchise legend Alvin Kamara. The veteran running back has one year left on his contract, and he wants to play that year out. New Orleans, however, has already turned its attention to the next era of Saints football, signing Travis Etienne to a four-year deal worth $48 million.
With the franchise clearly turning the page to a new era, everyone has been asking what that means for Kamara. The franchise rushing leader has made it clear that he has no interest in playing for another team, essentially removing a trade off the table. That means New Orleans will either let him play out his contract and walk off into the sunset, or force a beloved player into retirement.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has been honest that the franchise is trying to figure the Kamara situation out, but a decision shouldn’t have to be made at all. New Orleans should absolutely welcome the running back for a final season. In addition to him still being productive, and everything he’s done for the franchise, Kamara is a leader that this rebuilding team would benefit from having in the locker room.
Saints can’t overlook Alvin Kamara’s leadership as they decide his future
Kamara has been with the franchise since being drafted by the team in 2017, and it’s no secret that he’s one of the most beloved Saints players ever. Between his love for the city and on-field production, he has become a pillar for the franchise over the last decade. That status has resulted in him becoming one of the team’s most respected leaders.
Not only does the running back lead by example, showing up and going to work in all circumstances, he never hesitates to say what needs to be said. Kamara is an honest leader, who bluntly holds everyone accountable from himself, to teammates, to the coaching staff. It’s hard to have success without players like that.
That kind of leadership is now especially important since the Saints have quickly went from an old team to a young team. Most of the staples of the past era are no longer with the team, and New Orleans is relatively inexperienced in a lot of important spots. Head coach Kellen Moore is only entering year two as a head coach, and quarterback Tyler Shough is entering his second year in the league all together. Kamara’s leadership could be vital as the team hopes to ascend.
When Loomis says the franchise is trying to see how Kamara is going to fit on the roster, he’s most likely referring to the running back’s $10.44 million cap number. In addition to Kamara, the Saints have Etienne, Devin Neal, and Kendre Miller. The bigger problem for New Orleans is the amount of dollars in the running back room, not players.
While the easy solution would be just getting rid of Kamara, whose career will likely be over next offseason anyway, the Saints have to consider what the running back has meant to the franchise, and how his leadership can serve as a guide for the team in 2026.
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