The New Orleans Saints are entering a pivotal offseason as they continue reshaping their team. Following Derek Carr’s unexpected retirement last year, the Saints kicked off their rebuild by selecting Tyler Shough and Kelvin Banks Jr. in the 2025 NFL Draft, aiming to strengthen their roster future. While their salary cap situation has improved compared to previous years, financial constraints still pose significant challenges.
To navigate these limitations, the Saints are expected to focus on reducing costs and integrating younger players as part of their ongoing strategy. This approach makes several roster choices particularly urgent as they balance short-term performance with long-term growth.
Alvin Kamara’s Potential Release Stirs Debate
Thomas Valentine of PFF recently highlighted that Alvin Kamara could be on the chopping block to help the Saints address their cap difficulties and youth movement. Valentine emphasized the team’s past struggles with salary cap management, calling them
“the unfortunate poster boys of cap malfeasance.”
He explained that while there are few logical candidates to release under current conditions, Kamara stands out as a possible solution.
The Saints are the unfortunate poster boys of cap malfeasance. They’ve kicked the can down the road for so long and enter the offseason with negative cap space. There aren’t many cut candidates that make sense, but cutting veteran running back Alvin Kamara could be the solution,
Thomas Valentine, PFF analyst
Kamara’s recent performances have declined notably, which feeds into this consideration. Valentine pointed out that Kamara earned a 51.7 PFF grade—the lowest among 59 running backs in 2025, marking a significant drop from his previous years’ output.
Kamara’s 51.7 PFF grade was dead last among 59 running backs in 2025, and by far the lowest of his career. His production has dropped off in recent seasons. If the Saints want to get younger and save $8.5 million, they could designate Kamara as a post-June 1 cut. This would be the avenue to take.
Thomas Valentine, PFF analyst
Balancing Financial Realities With Loyalty to a Franchise Icon
Despite the logic behind releasing Kamara to free up roughly $8.5 million and promote youth, cutting a player of his stature poses emotional and strategic challenges. Kamara has been a central figure for the Saints and holds a deep connection to the franchise and its supporters. Yet, the business side of the NFL often requires difficult moves, even with franchise legends.
New Orleans is reportedly considering drafting a new running back in 2025, with Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love emerging as a strong prospect. This aligns with a longer-term vision to refresh their backfield and adjust spending. Ultimately, the Saints must weigh the benefits of retaining a well-known veteran against the imperative to build a sustainable roster.
Implications for the Saints’ Future Moves
The possibility of releasing Alvin Kamara underscores the intense and sometimes turbulent decisions the Saints face as they attempt to rebuild. Financial flexibility, age considerations, and on-field performance all play crucial roles in shaping the team’s offseason actions. While this move would be significant, it reflects a broader trend in the NFL where even star players are not untouchable if their costs outweigh their contributions.
As the Saints progress through 2025, the choices they make regarding veterans like Kamara will signal their commitment to adapting and growing within the league’s evolving dynamics. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this rebuild unfolds and what it means for New Orleans’ competitiveness moving forward.
