There could be big trouble in The Big Easy for the New Orleans Saints as star running back Alvin Kamara appears to have left minicamp.
Saints insider Mike Triplett was among the first to notice the five-time Pro Bowler missing the final minicamp practice on Thursday, though he was far from the only one.
“Didn’t see Saints RB Alvin Kamara during final minicamp practice Thursday. Also not participating: TEs Juwan Johnson, Tommy Hudson, DBs Alontae Taylor, Faion Hicks, RT Ryan Ramczyk, DEs Chase Young, Tanoh Kpassagnon, DT Jack Heflin, WR Stanley Morgan Jr., LB Nephi Sewell,” Triplett wrote.
However, it was NFL insider Ian Rapoport who revealed that Kamara’s agent spoke to him about the issue. As many were already speculating, the decision to miss minicamp today was, in fact, contract related.
“Just spoke to Alvin Kamara’s agent Brad Cicala, who confirms Kamara’s departure is contract-related,” Rapoport reported.
Kamara has two years left on the five-year contract he signed back in 2020 and three void years tacked onto the deal. However, his cap hit in 2025 is $25 million – which the Saints probably wouldn’t agree to take on even if he won the NFL MVP award.
NFL insider Mike Garafolo offered some extra insight, revealing that the Saints have been discussing a contract restructure for a few months. Kamara appears to have made his feelings known on the situation
“The #Saints and Alvin Kamara have been talking about a contract restructure for a few months now. He’s on the books for $10.7 million more this season, effectively the last year of his deal because he’s due $25m in 2025. No progress recently and Kamara has now made a statement,” Garafolo wrote.
Will the Saints be able to come to new terms with Kamara before the start of the season? Or is a lengthy holdout looming?
Related: Details Emerging From Alvin Kamara Contract Situation