New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, amid ongoing contract negotiations, has chosen to continue participating in practices to avoid fines and to support his coaches and teammates.
“I ain’t stupid. I ain’t going to give no money up. I’m trying to get some money,” Kamara stated after the Saints’ first training camp practice on Wednesday.
Kamara emphasized, “This happens all across the league. I would be a fool to spite my teammates because of a dispute I’m having with (the front office). … I’m not that guy. I’m for the team.”
The running back, who has accumulated 10,048 yards and 77 touchdowns from scrimmage over seven NFL seasons, previously showed his dissatisfaction by missing the team’s final mandatory minicamp practice in June. There was uncertainty about his participation in training camp and whether he would hold out, a move seen from other high-profile players in similar disputes.
Saints quarterback Derek Carr commented, “Any time a player says, ‘You know what, you know how I feel,’ and still says, ‘I’m going to show up for the team,’ … that’s the loudest thing he can say. Hopefully, that spoke volumes to whomever and whatever he’s trying to get done.”
Kamara has two years remaining on his contract, but his $22 million salary for 2025 is not guaranteed. The Saints could potentially save a significant amount by releasing him next year if he underperforms or faces health issues.
Kamara is not asking for a raise but rather a longer-term commitment. He expressed a desire to retire as a Saint and indicated he would prefer to retire in Africa, where his mother is from, over continuing his career elsewhere.
Teams across the NFL have been hesitant to offer substantial contracts to running backs, particularly those over 30. General manager Mickey Loomis acknowledged Kamara’s timely report to camp and noted that the running back is in excellent shape.
Loomis reiterated his policy of not discussing contract negotiations publicly but shared some broader considerations. “Obviously there’s some volatility in the market for different positions and we have to pay attention to that,” Loomis said, adding the Saints must strategically manage salaries after missing the playoffs the past three seasons. “I would say our performance as a team hasn’t been up to the standard,” Loomis said. “There is individual performance, but our concern is team performance. How do we make our team better? How do we get more wins?”
Kamara acknowledged these points but stressed that his dual role as both a runner and receiver makes him a unique case. “Everybody’s not the same,” Kamara said. “I’m not looking at the running back market. I’m looking at my situation.”
Kamara believes he can continue to perform at a high level for several more years. “I don’t feel like I’m on a decline. I feel like I can play four or five more years,” Kamara stated. “I’m not asking for nothing crazy where it’s like, ‘Oh my God, we can’t do that.’”
“The money does matter, but in the grand scheme of things, I’ve made a lot of money and I do well off the field also,” Kamara added. “I want it to be fair. … I’m not chasing nothing that’s outlandish.”
In other news, running back Kendre Miller, a 2023 third-round draft pick from TCU, left the opening practice with a hamstring injury before participating in any 11-on-11 drills. Coach Dennis Allen expressed frustration over Miller’s recurring injuries. “That’s a player that’s going to have to figure out how to stay healthy because it’s hard to make the team when you’re in the training room all the time,” Allen said.
