Three truths about the Saints after Alvin Kamara's extension

Despite suffering a five-game losing streak since going 0-2, the New Orleans Saints decided to extend their best offensive player again.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Alvin Kamara was awarded a two-year extension worth $24.5 million on Tuesday night, October 22, running through the 2026 season. The deal calls for Kamara to receive $22.23 million guaranteed and reiterates his desire to retire a Saint despite online trade rumors.

So far this season, the 29-year-old running back leads the Saints in carries (111), rushing yards (438), rushing touchdowns (6) and receptions (34). He played in all seven games for the franchise this season despite suffering from broken ribs and a hand injury.

New Orleans will need to shift additional payroll in the offseason to stay below its league-leading average. For now, Kamara's extension offers financial opportunity and additional truth for a Saints franchise looking to get back on track.

Kamara's deal serves as cap relief

Despite earning the second-highest running back salary in the NFL, Alvin Kamara's recent contract extension gives the Saints some cap relief. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the new deal will save New Orleans about $18 million in next year's spending cap.

While the team will have to get creative to pay back its star by not violating the cap, NewOrleans. Football's Nick Underhill expects most of the guarantees to be included in Kamara's $15.5 million signing bonus.

The contract agreement also lowers Kamara's previous cap hit from $29 million in 2025 to just $11 million, making it a little easier for him to initiate a future trade package or loss cap reduction.

Kamara maintains his role as the team's offensive cornerstone

An extension of this magnitude all but solidifies that Kamara will be in New Orleans' offensive plans for the immediate future. In the team's first four games, Kamara ran for at least 77 yards and totaled four rushing and one receiving touchdowns. In his last three games, which were marred by injuries, Kamara averaged 40 rushing yards or less on fewer than 14 carries per game.

This season, the five-time Pro Bowler has been the team's most reliable offensive player. That fact shouldn't change and can only improve as its starting quarterback and offensive line return from injury.

Unfortunately, New Orleans is still in win-now mode

The Saints' 2-5 start to the 2024 season sparked rumors in the media that the team had become a hot seller at the trade deadline. The team's extension of Kamara now shows their determination to remain an NFC contender.

As noted in the article, Kamara's deal provides New Orleans with cap relief to restructure his teammates and forego other salaries. Unfortunately, for the sake of competitiveness, they are likely to maintain abhorrent deals into the second half of the decade.

If a team uses the “kick the can” method, making the playoffs should be a prerequisite. This reimagining of Saints football seems far from justifying their win-now mode initiative.