Saints and Kamara reach agreement to extend tenure through 2026

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has agreed to a reworked contract to remain with the team for the 2026 season, according to confirmation from his agent, Brad Cicala. Speaking to NFL Network, Cicala stated that both the player and the club aimed for Kamara to retire as a Saint. Specific financial details of the restructuring were not disclosed, though the agreement resolves lingering speculation regarding the team’s salary cap management following the signing of Travis Etienne Jr.

The restructuring follows a period of intense scrutiny over the Saints’ backfield allocation. In early March, the team signed former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year deal worth more than $12 million per year in the first three years. Prior to Kamara’s revised agreement, the Saints had $21 million in cap space devoted to their seven running backs, the highest figure in the NFL. Kamara was originally set to make up to $11.5 million in base salary for the current season, with $3 million of that salary becoming guaranteed last year.

Kamara, who turns 31 in July, has faced questions regarding his performance trajectory. He recorded career lows in rushing yards (471), receiving yards (186), and total touchdowns (1) in the previous season, while also dealing with injuries over the past two years. Despite these metrics, Kamara expressed confidence in his ability to complement Etienne Jr., citing his successful partnerships with Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray earlier in his career. He argued that having two talented backs creates a dilemma for opposing defences, preventing them from focusing on a single threat.

The news of the restructured contract was first reported by NewOrleans.Football and former Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead on his podcast, "The Set," on Wednesday. Armstead described Kamara as "pissed off" about recent narratives suggesting a decline in his performance, asserting that the player has only done "elite and exceptional work throughout his entire career." Armstead added that Kamara still has significant production left in his legs.

Rumours of a potential trade circulated in October, which Kamara dismissed at the time, stating he would not want to play anywhere but New Orleans. The agreement finalises his tenure with the franchise, aligning with the stated goals of both parties to maintain stability within the roster and the city.