Alvin Kamara is officially back for his 10th season with the New Orleans Saints, signing a reworked contract that locks him in. The five-time Pro Bowler, who turns 32 next week, will make a base salary of $6 million in 2026, with a chance to earn up to $8.5 million through incentives. It’s a pretty hefty price tag, especially when you look at how his game has shifted recently.
The Numbers Don't Lie on Kamara's Production Dip
Let's be real, the Alvin Kamara we're getting now isn't the same guy who burst onto the scene. Early in his career, over his first 60 NFL games, he was averaging a ridiculous 5 yards per carry and 8.7 yards per reception. That's elite stuff. But over his last 66 games? Both those numbers have dropped by more than a yard. We're talking 3.9 yards per carry and 7.6 yards per reception. That's a pretty steep drop-off. Plus, he hasn't been as effective in pass protection either in more recent seasons. There was even chatter about him getting moved at the trade deadline last year, with other teams reportedly interested. Saints GM Mickey Loomis straight up asked Kamara if he wanted to play anywhere else, but the man said he wanted to stay a Saint.Struggles, Injuries, and the Etienne Factor
Kamara really struggled to generate yards in his final five games last season, outside of that upset win over the Panthers. The Saints pretty much abandoned the run game while transitioning quarterbacks from Spencer Rattler to Tyler Shough. By the end of November, Kamara was done for the season with knee and ankle injuries. Interestingly, the Saints actually finished strong without him, winning four of their last five games as Shough emerged and their defense stepped up. That finish put a positive spin on Kellen Moore's first season as head coach, and hopes are definitely running higher for 2026. The Saints also went out and signed Travis Etienne Jr. in March, bringing in a younger, more explosive back at a steep $12 million per year. Even with Kamara's new, reduced deal, this is still one of the more expensive running back rooms in the league. But the Saints see value in pairing Kamara with Etienne. They believe Kamara can be an "amoeba back" now, complementing Etienne and reducing his workload. He can also step into a lead role if needed. If they had moved on from Kamara, their backfield would have been super thin. Etienne has been reliable health-wise, but he's only had one 300-touch season and topped 60% of offensive snaps just four times. Kamara, even with the dip, is still probably the more sure-handed receiver, better in pass protection, and a more reliable short-yardage runner than Etienne. They could have hoped one of their other young backs like Devin Neal, Kendre Miller, Ty Chandler, or Audric Estime stepped up, but bringing back their long-time guy felt like the easiest call. No one expects Kamara to be Derrick Henry out there anymore, but if he can mimic the role and success of older backs like Raheem Mostert or Aaron Jones, then this deal might just make sense for the Saints. It's all about what he brings to the table *now* alongside Etienne.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.