New Orleans Saints star running back Alvin Kamara proclaimed his support for recent signing Travis Etienne on Terron Armstead’s podcast. The veteran said he “couldn’t be happier” after “[his] boy got paid. Two, it’s some help in the backfield.”
Kamara currently floats around in trade rumors. Earlier in the offseason, he was thought to be a potential cap casualty. The Saints signed Etienne to a four year $47.4 million contract earlier this offseason.
However, perhaps Kamara admires the move so that he no longer carries such a significant load for the offense. He said, “One person can’t do it by themself.”
Previously, Kamara entered the NFL with Mark Ingram as his partner in the backfield. Together in 2017 they produced for over 3000 total scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns. Kamara won the Offensive Rookie of the Year that season.
Kamara Needs to Improve in 2026
GettyKamara struggled mightily in 2025 as he had one of his worst statistical seasons in his otherwise incredible career.
PFF gave Kamara a 51.7 grade last season, ranking last among 55 qualified running backs. The season indicated that Kamara finally appears to slide on the down stretch of his long career. In 2024, Kamara totaled 1493 scrimmage yards and 8 touchdowns. In 2025, those totals dropped to 657 yards and one touchdown.
However, the Saints used Kamara as the lead back, and the running back room behind him remained unproven. The Saints moved on from their two running back system in 2021 after Latavius Murray left the organization. Since then, Kamara syphons all of the touches mostly.
2026 marks the change back to what Kamara grew up with in New Orleans. To him, that seems like a great adjustment.
Kamara said, “That’s what we’re trying to do. Me and Mark set the bar. … I’m 100% for it. If that’s the direction we’re going in, I’m with it.”
Subsequently, Kamara gave massive praise for Etienne as a player as well. He called Etienne “explosive.”
“He hit home runs. … I’m excited to see what we can do together.”
Travis Etienne Arrives After a Career Year
GettyEtienne had one of the best years of his career in Jacksonville last season.
Etienne performed tremendously in 2025 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, totaling 1515 yards and 14 total touchdowns including the playoffs. PFF gave him a 72.6 overall grade, ranking 28th among 55 eligible running backs. While not the most efficient of running backs, Etienne does have powerful plays and great break off for big runs.
In 2024, Etienne struggled mightily only producing 812 scrimmage yards and 2 total touchdowns across 15 games. However, he played with a hamstring injury that lingered throughout the season. Etienne came into the NFL with health concerns, but he exploded on the scene in 2022 and 2023, totaling over 3000 scrimmage yards across the two seasons.
During that 2024 season, Tank Bigsby partnered with Etienne. Last year, Bhayshul Tuten became a factor in the backfield. Thus, Etienne knows the deal when it comes to leading a committee. Expect Etienne to dominate the touches mainly in New Orleans, but Kamara seems to welcome the idea of getting some help. Perhaps that will allow him to bounce back in 2026.
New Orleans Saints Kamara Makes His Stance on Etienne Known