Alvin Kamara, the New Orleans Saints' star running back, skipped the final day of mandatory minicamp practice on Thursday due to ongoing contract negotiations with the team. According to multiple reports, Kamara's agent confirmed that his absence was related to his contract situation.
Kamara is entering the fourth year of a five-year, $77 million deal signed in September 2020. He has two years left on the contract but reportedly wants a new one before taking the field again. The Saints and Kamara have been discussing a new deal for 'months,' but progress has not been made.
The running back's absence from mandatory minicamp could result in a fine, as NFL rules state that players are required to attend all practices unless they have an excused absence. However, Kamara did participate in the team's walk-through on Thursday before leaving early.
Kamara has been an integral part of the Saints' offense since being drafted in 2017. He has averaged 1,032 rushing yards and another 578 receiving yards per season over the past three years. However, his production dipped last season, as he rushed for a career-low 694 yards and had a career-low average of 4.5 yards per touch.
The Saints' offense has struggled to score points in recent seasons, making Kamara's contributions even more valuable. The team finished the 2023 season with the second-fewest points scored in the league, behind only the Houston Texans.
Despite his production and importance to the team, Kamara is seeking a new contract due to concerns about his future earnings. According to Spotrac, he is set to earn $11.8 million this season and has $36.8 million remaining on his deal after this year.
The Saints could choose to release Kamara after the 2024 season, when the final year of his contract pays him $25 million in base salary. However, given his production and importance to the team, it is unlikely that they would let him go without trying to extend his deal first.
The Saints' negotiations with Kamara are ongoing, but it remains unclear what terms the two sides are discussing. The running back has reportedly been seeking a new contract for some time, and his absence from mandatory minicamp is the latest indication that he is growing frustrated with the lack of progress.