When the New Orleans Saints strucka sizable contract with running back Travis Etienne Jr.inNFL free agencythis week, the signing threw into question the future of all-purpose dynamo Alvin Kamara.
On Thursday, Saints coach Kellen Moore did little to clarify the uncertainty.
Moore was largely noncommittal when asked whether he expected the five-time All-Pro running back would be back with the organization in 2026 for his 10th pro season.
"We'd like to go through that process, certainly," Moore said at a news conference. "Obviously we know Alvin means a lot to us. We're three days into this thing and we signed Travis, and we'll go through that process."
Asked if Kamara, 30, was considering retirement, Moore replied, "I'm not gonna get into all of that stuff. I haven't had those conversations in any way."
When the NFL's negotiating window opened on Monday, the Saints quickly reached an agreement with Etienne on a four-year, $52 million deal, per multiple reports. The former Jacksonville Jaguars standout was brought on board to revitalize a rushing attack that ranked second in yards per carry at 3.7.
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But making a substantial commitment at a position where many other teams operate on the cheap - Etienne's $28 million guaranteed ranks fifth among all backs, according to Over The Cap - left questions about Kamara's standing with the organization.
The five-time Pro Bowl selection is coming off career lows of 471 rushing yards and 186 receiving yards in 2025, when he played in just 11 games. Kamara, the team's all-time leader in rushing yards (7,250) and rushing touchdowns (61), is entering the last year of his contract after restructuring his deal earlier this month.
Yet since Etienne's signing, speculation has swirled that Kamara could opt to retire.
When his name popped up as a potential candidate to be moved at the NFL trade deadline last fall, Kamara indicated he wasn't interested in playng anywhere else than New Orleans.
"I just got to keep my head down," Kamara said. "And I don't know, if I was a GM, I guess I would go to the player and be like, 'Hey, we're trading you. Just so you know.' So, if (Saints general manager) Mickey (Loomis) come downstairs and says that, then I'm going to go drink a piña colada somewhere."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Alvin Kamara retiring? Saints' Kellen Moore leaves RB's future murky
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