Alvin Kamara on Saints Contract Dispute: 'I Don't Got No Mystery Injury. I'm Here'

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara wants a new contract, but that didn't happen this offseason. However, the eight-year veteran told reporters Sunday after his team's 47-10 season-opening win over the Carolina Panthers that he's focused on playing and isn't going to sit out due to a fictitious "mystery injury."

"I'm not worried about it. I'm here to play. I'm going to play. I'm going to perform. I don't got no illness. I don't got no mystery injury. I'm here. You know what I'm saying? I'm going to play, I'm going to perform, I'm going to be here with my teammates, coaches," Kamara said, per ESPN's Katherine Terrell.

"Outside of all that, I think the most important thing, I mean, I love this city right? I love the fans. I love these people. They support me. They've been supporting me for years now, right?

"For me, in my head, it would be kind of selfish to not go out there. I mean, I interact with so many people every day. These people love me like I'm family. I feel the same way and vice versa. I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't come out here and try to put on for those people that have been supporting me."

Kamara did just that on Sunday, rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries to go along with five receptions for 27 receiving yards. The Saints led 30-0 in the second quarter en route to the 37-point victory.

The five-time Pro Bowler is in the fourth year of a five-year, $75 million contract extension. However, as Terrell noted, there is no guaranteed money coming Kamara's way for 2025.

Per Over the Cap, Kamara also carries a $29,077,000 cap hit for 2025, something the team assuredly would like to address. The Saints can do so with a new contract. They can also release Kamara next offseason and save $18.9 million in cap space while taking $10.1 million in dead money.

Kamara obviously wants a new deal, but his focus has shifted to football with the season underway.

"It didn't get done. Like I said, it is what it is. It may get done, it might not get done. I'm just focused on football right now, so I don't want to talk contract at all," Kamara added, per Terrell.

"I've never wanted to be the center of attention on anything, on any front right? I don't want to be sitting here trying to negotiate a contract while we're trying to win games, while we're trying to get to a Super Bowl. And I meant it when I said it the other day, we'll talk about it after the season."

So for now, Kamara is focused on winning. That goal was accomplished in Week 1, as the Saints put up the NFL's highest league-wide point total and the largest margin of victory through Sunday's games.