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 status moving forward remains uncertain after he skipped the final practice of minicamp last week. According to his agent, Brad Cicala, the early departure was due to contract-related issues. This has raised eyebrows within the organization and among fans alike.
Kamara did not attend OTAs this offseason but returned for the 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.
Performance and Comparisons
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. The arrival of Kubiak, who served as the San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator last season, adds an interesting dynamic. Kubiak oversaw running back Christian McCaffrey thrive under his system, with McCaffrey rushing for a career-high 1,459 yards. The 28-year-old McCaffrey, a first-round pick for the Carolina Panthers in 2017, received a two-year extension in June, which will pay him an average of $19 million and guarantee him $24 million. 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 yards after that age. Rushing attempts also peak at age 27, while rushing average peaks between ages 24-26.
Challenges and Financial Implications
Several external factors 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. 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.
Looking Ahead
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. Both Kamara and the Saints seem to acknowledge that continuity is beneficial. Kamara stated, "I want a lifetime contract. I want to be here forever." This sentiment indicates his commitment, despite the current financial and performance concerns. The Saints' new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, echoed a positive outlook, stating, "I've 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." Even Saints quarterback Derek Carr shared his admiration for Kamara's abilities, "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."
Conclusion
The Saints face a complicated decision regarding Kamara's future, weighing his past performances, current contract, and potential future contribution. As Kamara continues to prepare for the upcoming season, both the player and the franchise must navigate this uncertainty, balancing financial realities with aspirations of on-field success.
Ultimately, as training camp approaches, how this situation resolves will significantly impact the Saints' season and their offensive strategy under Klint Kubiak. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, hopeful for clarity and positive outcomes for both Kamara and the team.