SouthernWorldwide.com – New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara made a surprise appearance at voluntary offseason training on Wednesday, admitting he had a last-minute decision to attend.
Kamara, who typically opts out of these optional workouts to train independently and had missed the previous week, expressed a sense of playful anticipation in surprising his teammates and coaches.
“Obviously, a little bit unexpected,” commented head coach Kellen Moore.
“It’s good to see him,” Moore continued. “Excited to be able to spend a little time with him, see where’s he’s at.”
The veteran running back’s presence comes as he approaches his 31st birthday and his 10th NFL season, a period marked by significant restructuring within the Saints’ backfield and speculation about his future with the team.
Kamara is currently in the final year of his contract. The uncertainty surrounding his tenure in New Orleans has intensified following the team’s acquisition of free agent running back Travis Etienne, who signed a substantial four-year, $52 million deal.
“As you navigate some of the business stuff, signing Travis and kind of navigating how all these pieces work together, that’s always a little bit of a challenge as you’re building your roster,” Moore stated on Wednesday.
It presents a complex financial situation for the Saints to potentially pay both Etienne as a starter and Kamara the full amount of his two-year, $24.5 million extension, which became active last season.
Both general manager Mickey Loomis and Moore have indicated this offseason that Kamara might be a trade candidate or could be released if he is unwilling to renegotiate his contract to a more team-friendly cap figure.
Kamara, however, has expressed openness to the idea of playing alongside Etienne, suggesting, “I think we’ll complement each other well.” When questioned on Wednesday about his willingness to discuss new contract terms, he remained non-committal.
“I haven’t had any conversations in regards to that. So, I don’t know,” Kamara said. “There’s a time and a place for everything, and if that conversation comes up, then I’ll have an answer for you.”
Despite the ongoing speculation, Kamara appears unfazed by the uncertainty surrounding his future with the team.
“I wouldn’t say it’s uncomfortable for me,” Kamara stated. “On my side, I feel no pressure; there’s no beef or no bad blood. I’m doing what I do every year, working. If there are decisions that got to be made, they’ll be made.
“I’m still under contract here. So, I’m a Saint,” Kamara added. “If anything happens, we’ll go from there.”
Last season, Kamara’s performance was hampered by a knee injury, leading to career lows in games played (11), rushing yards (471), rushing touchdowns (one), receiving yards (186), and receiving touchdowns (zero).
This contrasts sharply with the beginning of his career in 2017, when he was named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. That year marked the start of a four-season playoff streak for the Saints under the leadership of coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees.
However, the Saints have not reached the playoffs since Brees’ retirement after the 2020 season. They are now on their second head coach since then, with Moore taking the helm after a Super Bowl victory as the offensive coordinator for Philadelphia during the 2024 season.
“I’m used to winning. So, it’s been a lull around here for a little bit,” Kamara remarked. “It’s unfortunate. It’s annoying. It’s frustrating when you’re a part of it, when you know what it can be, what it’s like to win.”
The team has also seen significant roster changes, with linebacker Demario Davis, a key leader during their playoff years, departing in free agency. Other notable unsigned veterans include defensive end Cameron Jordan, the franchise’s all-time sack leader, and Taysom Hill, who contributes as a tight end, running back, backup quarterback, and special teams leader.
Kamara acknowledged that the absence of these players from the locker room “stings a little bit, but you’ve got to be realistic.”
“I’m going to be ready and we’ll see what happens,” Kamara said. “It’s a business both ways, you know, on the team side and the player side. … Nothing catches me off guard.”
When asked about the possibility of returning to New Orleans next week, Kamara responded with a smile, “I might be. New Orleans is a beautiful city.”
