Kamara Reworks Deal to Stay With Saints in 2026

Sport

By lines

July 16, 2026

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The Alvin Kamara contract saga ended with the running back staying put. Alvin Kamara agreed to a reworked deal with the New Orleans Saints. Kamara, age 30, accepted a reduced salary for the 2026 season. New Orleans keeps its veteran back for a 10th NFL season.

Kamara Takes a Reduced Number to Remain in New Orleans

Kamara and the Saints agreed to the reworked deal this week. Kamara was set to earn up to $11.5 million in base salary this year. Kamara will now collect a reduced figure from that amount. The Saints had guaranteed $3 million of his salary. His agent, Brad Cicala, said Kamara wanted to retire a Saint.

The New Orleans Saints drafted Alvin Kamara in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. Kamara, age 30, entered 2026 on the final year of his contract. His cap number ranked among the highest for any running back. New Orleans signed running back Travis Etienne during free agency. Etienne, age 27, projects as the lead back for 2026.

Kamara won Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Saints in 2017. The running back has spent all 9 of his prior seasons in New Orleans. Kamara addressed trade rumors last October by pledging to stay a Saint. The reworked deal aligns his salary with a shifting role in 2026. New Orleans keeps a franchise cornerstone while adding youth at the position.

The reworked deal lowers Kamara’s cap hit for the New Orleans Saints in 2026. New Orleans gains flexibility while retaining a trusted veteran. Kamara accepts a smaller role behind Travis Etienne this season. The Saints avoid the dead money from a Kamara release in 2026. Both sides settle a standoff that lingered for months.

Kamara will report to Saints training camp for his 10th NFL season. New Orleans opens the 2026 campaign with Kamara and Travis Etienne sharing carries. Kamara will look to prove he still produces at age 30. The Saints will manage his workload across the 2026 schedule. Both the team and Kamara can revisit his future after 2026.

Kamara ranks among the most productive Saints of the past decade. Kamara has anchored the New Orleans backfield since his 2017 debut. The Saints now pair Kamara, age 30, with Travis Etienne, age 27. New Orleans opens the 2026 season inside a competitive NFC South. Kamara aims to help the Saints chase a playoff return in 2026.