Running back Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints will most likely be playing without a new contract when the teams take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon in the 2024 NFL season.
Despite being away from the team over the spring, Kamara took part in Saints training camp. He was hoping to get a new contract before Week 1, but it looks like that ship has sailed.
Until after the forthcoming season, the seasoned running back put an end to any contract negotiations for a future beyond this one.
Kamara recently told reporters, “I’m kind of at the point where I’m not even talking about it until after the season.”
With Kamara counting $18.55 million against the salary limit, the highest amount on the club, the cap-strapped Saints are expected to start this season.
Kamara played in just 13 games the previous season and ran for a career-low 694 yards and five touchdowns while dealing with a chronic ankle injury.
Given that his current contract has no guaranteed income left and that his cap number will soar to nearly $24 million in 2025, Kamara had been looking to modify his contract or sign an extension.
With no guaranteed money attached to Kamara’s contract, the Saints are expected to spend upwards of $96.8 million above the cap in the upcoming season. As he approaches his thirty-first birthday, Kamara may become expendable.
Saints and Panthers could go for a wideout as trade interest rises.
The following is how wideout Deebo Samuel might be pursued by the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints as trade interest rises following the Brandon Aiyuk transaction.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel might be pursued by the Carolina Panthers or the New Orleans Saints if trade speculation increases following Brandon Aiyuk’s signing of a new deal with the 49ers. San Francisco may now be able to move past the Aiyuk scandal, but they will need to wait and see what happens before they have to pay Samuel. Aiyuk, Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers’ running back, are all under contract for two more years. In 2026, it will be difficult for them to pay all three of them, thus the 49ers should think about accepting trade offers this season.
After eventually being able to reach an agreement with veteran quarterback Trent Williams, they now need to figure out how to keep quarterback Brock Purdy around for a longer period of time. The 49ers have a lot of things to worry about, but they may end up dealing Samuel because the team was shopping him during the previous year’s draft. Samuel did discuss with his agent the possibility of a change of scenery and the possibility of wearing a new uniform before this year’s trade deadline. Since Samuel is still a special weapon to have around when healthy, this season may be shaping up to be his farewell tour.
The 49ers could trade Samuel to the Carolina Panthers, whose new head coach Dave Canales is constantly trying to improve the offense, according to one source. After acquiring wide receiver Xavier Legette and dealing for wideout Diontae Johnson, it was clear that they were making an effort. Although the Saints would certainly see a dramatic difference as they would only have Chris Olave to rely on for Derek Carr’s campaign this year, he would be a huge upgrade.
Welcome to the Deebo Samuel farewell tour. I've always thought either Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk would be with the 49ers in 2025, not both. 49ers will save $9,057,529 in salary cap space by trading Samuel in 2025. It's a $24,200,529 cap number versus $15.143M in dead money.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) August 29, 2024
Saints and Panthers could go wide. Deebo Samuel As Interest in Trade Increases in Other Possible Trade Locations
The Chiefs of Kansas City
Although it appears doubtful, the 49ers will go there if they are offered a deal they can’t refuse. Despite adding JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquise Brown to their roster, the Chiefs still have a lot of problems at the receiving position heading into the season. Rashee Rice won’t be suspended this season, which is a breath of fresh air for Patrick Mahomes and the offense, but they are dismissing Kadarius Toney. If they choose to trade for Brown before his one-year contract expires, or if Brown doesn’t perform well at all, Samuel’s arrival should be enough to cover for his departure.
They shouldn’t be dependent on Xavier Worthy, a rookie who is still getting used to life in the NFL. Furthermore, one shouldn’t rely on a player like Skyy Moore who hasn’t played a single snap as a starter for an entire season. With Samuel around, the receiving corps should be able to regain stability over the long run.
Ravens of Baltimore
Samuel’s arrival to Baltimore should at least put them back in the discussion for an AFC Conference Championship match. Zay Flowers may be on the team, but Rashod Bateman hasn’t been performing to his full ability following a disappointing season the previous year. But, they’re constantly searching for a WR3, which is why they signed Odell Beckham Jr. last year and added Nelson Agholor. Agholor will be their third option because Beckham isn’t playing anymore, but Samuel would be a vital upgrade and force Bateman to drop to the No. 3 spot.
Once Samuel gets to Baltimore, they’ll definitely click well, and he’ll undoubtedly develop a close relationship with Lamar Jackson.
The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers, who were on the verge of landing Johnson’s replacement, were a strong contender in the Aiyuk competition. Though Aiyuk remains in San Francisco, they still have a chance to acquire Samuel. Although Pittsburgh hasn’t been able to acquire a wide receiver to complement George Pickens, Samuel’s arrival ought to be able to cover a lot of offensive gaps. Although he isn’t a one-man show, his presence on the field might help the Steelers return to the postseason at the very least.
