Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a restructured deal to take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans. The 30-year-old had a jaded back-and-forth with the front office regarding his future after the Saints signed free-agent running back Travis Etienne this offseason. Matt Paras, who covers the Saints for Nola.com, said that in an offseason where New Orleans lost Taysom Hill and Demario Davis, fans will be excited to see a veteran star return.
“The Saints are in a little bit of a transition in terms of eras here, and to get Kamara to return back for a tenth season when he’s meant so much for the franchise, I’m sure a lot of people are happy.”
Details of the new deal are not yet known.
Kamara was due to make over $11 million this year on his previous contract. Etienne’s over-$12 million deal, which he signed in March, made the Saints’ running back room the highest-paid unit in the league, but the production did not match that investment.
Injuries and offensive struggles have limited a once-explosive Kamara in recent years. Paras said he expects Etienne to step into a more leading role in the backfield but hopes the offense finds ways for Kamara to contribute.
“Alvin Kamara, I think, can still be a threat in the passing game,” Paras said. “The screen game was really ineffective for New Orleans last season. If they can get that to work, and he can get out in space, I think you can still take advantage of that skill set.”