Alvin Kamara Reportedly Restructures Saints Contract, How Move Impacts Salary Cap, RB's Future

The New Orleans Saints reportedly restructured the contracts of several players Thursday and Friday in order to get under the salary cap, and running back Alvin Kamara was among them.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Saints converted $10.155 million of Kamara's salary into a signing bonus, saving $8.124 million against the cap in 2026. Pelissero added that the Saints are "keeping their options open" when it comes to Kamara and his future with the team.

Per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the Saints also did standard restructures with tight end Juwan Johnson, pass-rusher Chase Young and safety Justin Reid.

OverTheCap.com now lists the Saints as being $20 million under the salary cap.

The 30-year-old Kamara has spent his entire career in New Orleans, playing nine seasons with the Saints.

Originally a third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2017, Kamara made an instant impact, earning Pro Bowl nods in each of his first five NFL campaigns.

Kamara has never rushed for 1,000 yards in a season, but he has recorded 1,100 or more yards from scrimmage eight times, while scoring a total of 86 touchdowns in 126 career regular-season games.

After rushing for a career-high 950 yards and scoring eight total touchdowns in 2024, Kamara fell off significantly and had the worst statistical season of his career in 2025.

It didn't help that Kamara missed six games due to a knee injury, but even when he played, Kamara was not his usually productive self.

In 11 games, Kamara rushed for 471 yards and one touchdown, while catching 33 passes for 186 yards and no scores, all of which were career lows.

Even so, Kamara was still the Saints' leading rusher last season, as none of their other backs were able to take command of the backfield.

Devin Neal rushed for 206 yards in 10 games, Audric Estimé rushed for 198 yards in seven games and Kendre Miller rushed for 193 yards in seven outings.

Miller perhaps has the best chance of supplanting Kamara given that he was a third-round pick in 2023, but he has been unable to stay healthy during his young NFL career, missing a total of 30 games over three seasons.

Despite his struggles last season, Kamara still stands out as the Saints' best option at running back, although that could change depending on what New Orleans does in free agency or the draft.

Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks and Travis Etienne of the Jacksonville Jaguars are among the big names expected to hit free agency at the position, and it is possible New Orleans could consider taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft if he is still on the board.