Saints' Alvin Kamara Talks Not Holding Out for New Contract: 'I Ain't Stupid'

Alvin Kamara left New Orleans Saints minicamp in June after he and the team didn't make progress toward a new contract.

He isn't taking the same approach to training camp, however.

"I ain't stupid," Kamara told reporters Wednesday. "I ain't going to give the money up. I'm trying to get some money. ... I'd be a fool to spite my teammates because of a dispute I'm having with upstairs. I wouldn't even call it a dispute, we're having conversations."

Players under contract who skip training camp are subject to mandatory $50,000 fines per practice missed. That number can add up quickly.

Kamara, 28, is under contract for the next two seasons but is a major release candidate after the 2024 season, given that he would hold a $29 million cap hit due to a $22.4 million non-guaranteed base salary.

It would make far more sense for the Saints to cut him next offseason than face that sort of cap hit, hence Kamara seeking a new deal that would guarantee him money.

As for any conversations between the Saints and Kamara, general manager Mickey Loomis abstained from speaking in detail about the situation.

"I don't want to get into those kinds of conversations. It's nothing new. It's nothing about him," he told reporters. " ... I'm not one that wants to put things out, or try to influence any negotiation through the media. I think if I have something to say, I say it directly to the agents and the player."

Kamara had a bit of a down season in 2023, missing four games and totaling just 694 rushing yards and five touchdowns while adding 75 catches for 466 yards and another score. It was the first time in his career he didn't exceed 1,300 yards from scrimmage.

Still, he's an instrumental part of the New Orleans offense, and his presence at the start of training camp is positive news as new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak installs his offense.