Saints and Alvin Kamara agree to restructured contract with lower base salary

Running back Alvin Kamara will play for the New Orleans Saints in 2026 under a restructured contract, his agent confirmed to NFL Network on Wednesday, July 15. The new terms set his base salary at $6 million with the opportunity to earn up to $8.5 million through incentives. Kamara had been scheduled to receive up to $11.5 million in base salary before the revision.

Agent Brad Cicala said the agreement aligned with both parties' objectives. "Alvin's goal, and the team's goal, was for him to remain with the Saints and retire a Saint," Cicala told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. ESPN reported the confirmation followed an initial disclosure by NewOrleans.Football and former Saints tackle Terron Armstead.

The Saints renegotiated Kamara's contract in early March 2026 for salary-cap management. Three million dollars of his prior salary became guaranteed in 2025. The team also signed former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr.

That month to a four-year contract exceeding $12 million annually in the first three years. Before the latest adjustment, the Saints allocated $21 million in cap space to their seven running backs, the highest total in the NFL. Kamara, who turns 31 before training camp later this month, had expressed interest in continuing alongside Etienne during organized team activities.

He noted prior success sharing the backfield with Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray. Kamara addressed trade speculation last October by stating he wanted to play only in New Orleans. The restructured deal reduces his immediate cap charge while keeping him on the roster for the upcoming season.