Alvin Kamara Situation Suddenly on 'High Alert' for Saints

It sounds like the New Orleans Saints haven't made a clear decision quite yet on the future of longtime franchise superstar Alvin Kamara.

The five-time Pro Bowler has spent his entire nine-year career in New Orleans. The 30-year-old has made it clear over and over again that he doesn't want to play anywhere else. Kamara's contract already has been restructured this offseason. But the Saints didn't handle the restructuring like the vast majority of restructurings out there. There is still wiggle room to alter the contract further, or even move on from him.

Travis Etienne Jr. is in town and if he's healthy, is going to get the bulk of the work on the ground for New Orleans. Kamara is great and has been for a long time, but he somehow has never topped 1,000 yards on the ground. Etienne has reached that threshold three times in four seasons, including twice over 1,100 rushing yards. Kamara's biggest strengths are in the passing game, but New Orleans didn't utilize him there in 2025, even when he was healthy.

Regardless, the Saints have a decision to make. Saints head coach Kellen Moore spoke about Kamara from the annual league meetings in Arizona throughout the week and called the running back room with Kamara and Etienne a "great situation" for New Orleans. But will that remain the case? Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reported that all options are still on the table and the situation is on "high alert" now.

The Saints running back is up in the air right now

Nov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) walks off the field after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

"Officially, I think we know now, and we've known this for a little bit, but I think we're on high alert now with this Alvin Kamara situation," Underhill said. "I think anything is possible at this time. Kellen Moore kind of gave an answer alluding to wanting him back and I think that's true. I think they do want him back. But I think organizationally, there's still a lot of stuff up in the air there and I think it could go any which direction.

"Whatever way that plays out, it wouldn't be a surprise at this point. They are definitely evaluating their options there and trying to figure it out the best way forward for them. I genuinely think no decisions have been made there. But within that implies that there are all kinds of scenarios that could play out here. I think everything is at play."

So, what does this mean for New Orleans? Reports have surfaced that the Saints want to address Kamara's contract further and that could mean a pay cut or even a roster cut. From Underhill's reporting, it sounds like no decision has been made and therefore, Kamara isn't guaranteed to be with the franchise in 2026.

Hopefully, the two sides can work out a way to keep the partnership going. A running back room with a fresh Etienne and Kamara would be lethal on the ground and in the air. But the business part of the game is, of course, important. Something seemingly is going to get done with his contract and nothing is off the table.