Alvin Kamara sends clear message to Saints amid contract dispute

Veteran running back Alvin Kamara sent a clear message to the Saints Thursday by leaving minicamp practice early. Kamara is looking for a contract extension as he nears the end of his contract, but so far no extension or restructuring has materialized.

Alvin Kamara’s agent, Brad Cicala, confirmed to NFL insider Ian Rapoport that the running back’s departure from practice was contract-related. His contract pays him $10.7 million for this season, but his cap hit for 2025 is $25 million. Knowing the Saints likely won’t pay him the inflated salary for the 2025 season, Kamara is looking to adjust his deal.

In seven seasons with New Orleans, Kamara accumulated 5,829 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns. He also has 4,219 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. The Saints drafted him in the third round in 2017 out of Tennessee. In 2023, he has 180 carries, 694 rushing yards and five touchdowns with 75 receptions, 466 receiving yards and one extra score in 13 games.

Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak commented on the star running back after Thursday’s practice.

“I talked to him, he was great,” Kubiak said. “I spoke to him on the phone even when he was gone. We have been in constant communication.

Players across the league are taking positions during mandatory minicamps to try to grease the wheels for new deals. Contracted players who don’t participate in camp, like Kamara on Thursday, face fines of up to $100,000.

The Saints will be without a tight start Juwan Johnson for a “time” after undergoing foot surgery next week, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. Although the former receiver will miss time in training camp and the preseason, according to Schefter’s sources, he could be ready to go by the time the regular season rolls around. The Saints open the 2024 regular season with a home game against the Carolina Panthers on September 8.

Johnson signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He played in 16 games with the Saints last year and recorded 37 catches for 368 yards and four touchdowns, finishing fifth on the team in yards upon receipt. Prior to the 2023 season, Johnson signed a two-year contract extension with the Saints.

After his first four seasons in the league, the former Ducks star had 96 receptions in 50 games played for 1,074 yards and 15 touchdowns.