The New Orleans Saints are excited to see what their budding young core can achieve in 2026 after they enjoyed a strong finish to the 2025 campaign. And while the majority of the team’s moves have already been made this offseason, all eyes remain on veteran running back Alvin Kamara, whose future with the team is up in the air.
Despite the fact that the Saints would seemingly be open to moving Kamara, he has remained committed to the only team he has played for in the NFL, saying he wants to spend his entire career with only one team. In an attempt to prove his commitment to New Orleans, Kamara surprised the team by reporting for OTAs, which drew an eye-opening reaction from head coach Kellen Moore.
Kellen Moore Reacts to Alvin Kamara Reporting for OTAs
A third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Kamara immediately turned himself into one of the top dual-threat running backs in the league. Kamara ripped off five straight Pro Bowl selections to begin his career, while also earning a spot on the All-Pro Second Team twice, in addition to the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Over the past few years, though, Kamara’s impact has waned, and he is fresh off the worst season of his career in 2025 (131 CAR, 471 YDS, 1 TD, 33 REC, 186 YDS). At times, New Orleans appeared more inclined to turn things over to Kendre Miller last year, and in free agency, the team signed former Jacksonville Jaguars starting running back Travis Etienne Jr.
Kamara hasn’t batted an eye at these developments, though, as he’s publicly said he doesn’t want to get traded, even though rumors continue to swirl around him. It was particularly noteworthy to see Kamara report for OTAs, given that he’s typically skipped them in the past, and while even Moore admitted he was surprised to see the five-time Pro Bowler, the team is happy to have him in town.
“Kellen Moore said they weren’t expecting to see Alvin Kamara report today since he usually works out on his own, but he’s glad he’s here,” Nick Underhill of New Orleans Football Network shared in a post on X.
What Should the Saints Do with Alvin Kamara?
GettyAlvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
On paper, the situation between Kamara and the Saints should be pretty easy to sort out. New Orleans wants to get a closer look at its younger guys, and in theory, Kamara should relish the opportunity to join another contending squad. Instead, he has insisted that he doesn’t want to get traded, which has put N.O. in a strange spot.
Ultimately, trading Kamara makes the most sense for the Saints right now, as they just don’t need him anymore. Etienne can handle a starting workload, and both Miller and Devin Neal have flashed their potential in recent years. Kamara simply won’t budge on his desire to stay with New Orleans, but at some point, the front office may have to decide that moving on from him is what’s best for the team.
Saints HC Kellen Moore Addresses Alvin Kamara’s Unexpected OTAs Decision