METAIRIE, La. — Working again Alvin Kamara was absent from the New Orleans Saints’ closing follow of obligatory minicamp Thursday. Kamara’s agent, Brad Cicala, instructed NFL Community that Kamara’s absence was contract-related.
Kamara was on the facility on Thursday for the Saints’ walk-through however left proper earlier than the Saints opened follow to the media later that morning.
“He was right here for the walk-through this morning after which we went in, and I have never had an opportunity to speak to him, so I am undecided why he wasn’t on the market,” Saints coach Dennis Allen mentioned.
Kamara has two years left on the five-year, $77 million deal he signed in September 2020. Kamara missed 5 practices on the finish of August 2020 earlier than signing the brand new contract that yr, however he maintained that he by no means held out for a brand new deal.
Kamara is likely one of the final remaining contracts the Saints haven’t touched this yr after they restructured quarterback Taysom Hill’s deal earlier within the week. Kamara’s 2024 cap variety of $18.55 million is the very best on the group, and he has no assured cash remaining on his deal in 2025.
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Kamara didn’t go to OTAs this yr, which has been his routine for the previous a number of offseasons. He returned for the primary two practices of obligatory minicamp and mentioned on Tuesday after follow that he has been doing the identical issues he has finished in years previous.
“I’ve obtained entry to all [the practice film],” Kamara mentioned Tuesday after follow “It is not like I am simply not within the constructing and nothing is occurring. I speak to those dudes and a few of my teammates. I speak to among the coaches. I do not know, I feel it is like a bizarre little narrative happening, I do not know.”
He added: “I perceive what, type of, the phrase has been, doing one thing completely different and all people being right here. For me, it was simply, I type of simply caught to what I do know. I do not suppose any of my teammates took offense to it actually. Like I mentioned … I speak to plenty of these dudes each different day. It’s what it’s. It is like ‘Oh there’s various things pulling’ and this and that. I had a household final yr. It is not one thing that is pulling on me. … Essentially the most demanding factor for me proper now could be that my left rear tire has low stress. Every part else, I am good. I really feel nice. That is that. I really feel good, I am doing what I’ve at all times finished.”
Allen wouldn’t affirm if Kamara’s absence was associated to his contract or if it might be thought-about as unexcused absence.
“I do not know. I have never talked to Alvin so, that is all I’ve obtained for you,” Allen mentioned.
If Kamara’s absence is taken into account an unexcused departure, the group may fantastic him as much as $16,953. Allen mentioned that his expectation could be that Kamara will likely be at coaching camp as regular however repeated that he hasn’t talked to Kamara about his absence, so he would not know something for sure.
“I am actually not going to get into any of that stuff. On the finish of the day, I mentioned what occurred and I have never had a possibility to speak to him, so I feel it might be unfair to make any statements on that proper now,” Allen mentioned.
