Running back Alvin Kamara can easily make any team better. But it’s one thing for a general manager to imagine him suiting up for his team and it’s completely another to find a way to acquire Kamara without getting painfully bit in the pocket. The New Orleans Saints star tailback, who signed a five-year contract extension with the team worth $75 million back in 2020, carries a cap hit of nearly $19 million in 2024 and over $10 million in 2025.
What’s The Right Alvin Kamara Move For the New Orleans Saints?
Even projecting the best window to trade Alvin Kamara is tricky from the perspective of the New Orleans Saints and potential suitors.
Via Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report:
Trading the Tennessee product before June 1 would leave the Saints with a $17.2 million dead cap hit and save them only $1.7 million. But after June 1, they’d have only a $7.1 million dead cap hit this year and would save $11.8 million against the cap. Even contenders who think they are one piece away from the Super Bowl will be reluctant to pay Kamara the gaudy numbers he’s owed the next two years.
Then there is also the threat of regression for Kamara, who will be 29 years old when the new season comes in September. In the 2023 NFL season, Kamara, who missed the first three games of the campaign due to suspension, rushed for 694 yards with five touchdowns on 180 carries, while also picking up 466 receiving yards and a touchdown on 75 receptions and 86 targets.
Still, the Saints have a good reason to at least try and market Kamara. As Davenport noted, the New Orleans Saints will have to make necessary adjustments to make enough financial leg space in the salary cap room.
The Saints are currently projected to be a whopping $83.7 million over next year’s cap. They’re going to have to do some restructurings, cuts and possibly a trade or two this offseason.
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