Alvin Kamara, Saints Reportedly Agree to Restructured Deal, Ending Trade Rumors After Travis Etienne Signing

Kamara and the New Orleans Saints have reportedly agreed to a restructured contract that will keep the veteran running back with the team for the 2026 season, according to Saints reporter Nick Underhill. The full financial terms of the revised agreement have not yet been publicly disclosed.

The development could finally end months of speculation surrounding Kamara’s future following the Saints’ decision to sign former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. during free agency.

Etienne reportedly joined New Orleans on a four-year deal worth up to $52 million after producing 1,399 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns for Jacksonville in 2025. His arrival immediately raised questions about whether the Saints planned to trade, release or move on from Kamara.

Kamara’s future had been uncertain

Kamara entered the offseason approaching the final year of the two-year, $24.5 million extension he signed with New Orleans in October 2024.

The Saints had already adjusted his contract in March, converting $10.155 million of his salary into a signing bonus and creating approximately $8.1 million in 2026 salary-cap space. However, that unusual restructuring also gave New Orleans additional flexibility if Kamara was no longer on the roster.

That flexibility, combined with Etienne’s contract, fueled rumors that Kamara could be released or traded before the season. Reports even suggested that retirement could be a possibility if the five-time Pro Bowler was asked to continue his career with another organization.

Kamara repeatedly indicated that he wanted to remain in New Orleans. His agent also said in June that the plan was for Kamara to play for the Saints in 2026, while Kamara reported for voluntary organized team activities and said there was no “bad blood” between himself and the organization.

The newly reported agreement now provides much-needed clarity heading into training camp.

How Kamara and Etienne could work together

Keeping Kamara does not necessarily mean he will remain the Saints’ unquestioned lead running back.

Etienne is coming off a productive season and was given a significant long-term contract, making him a strong candidate to handle a large portion of the rushing workload. Kamara, however, remains one of the NFL’s most accomplished receiving backs and could still be dangerous in a complementary role.

Head coach Kellen Moore has previously expressed confidence that Kamara and Etienne can play together in the same offense. A shared backfield could allow the Saints to reduce the physical workload on Kamara while using his receiving ability, route-running and experience in favorable situations.

Kamara is attempting to rebound after an injury-shortened 2025 season. He appeared in 11 games and finished with career lows of 471 rushing yards, 33 receptions, 186 receiving yards and one total touchdown. He missed the final six games after suffering a knee injury.

Despite that difficult season, Kamara remains one of the most important players in franchise history. The 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year has earned five Pro Bowl selections and recorded 7,250 rushing yards, 4,948 receiving yards and 86 total touchdowns through his first nine NFL seasons.

A franchise star gets another opportunity

The reported agreement gives Kamara an opportunity to complete his tenth season with the only NFL franchise he has represented.

It also gives New Orleans a potentially dangerous combination in the backfield. Etienne can provide speed and a consistent rushing threat, while Kamara can remain a versatile weapon as a runner and receiver.

Questions will remain about how touches will be divided and whether Kamara will accept a reduced role. For now, however, one major question appears to have been answered: Alvin Kamara is expected to remain a New Orleans Saint in 2026.

With training camp approaching, attention can finally shift away from contract and trade rumors—and toward what Kamara and Etienne might accomplish together on the field.