Saints need to honor five-time Pro Bowler's request

The ball is in the Saints' court, now.

On Wednesday, running back Alvin Kamara delivered a strong statement about what he wants for his future amid contract negotiations with the franchise.

"I want to be a Saint. I want to retire here," Kamara told reporters.

New Orleans should do everything in its power to make it happen.

As Sports Illustrated's Ross Jackson noted , the 2017 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year and five-time Pro Bowler emphasized he isn't upset with his contract for this season — he has a base salary of $10.2 million in 2024 — which is why he's at training camp instead of holding out.

"I'm not that guy," he said when asked about participating at training camp in Irvine, California. "I'm for the team," Kamara added. (h/t NewOrleans.Football )

Instead, with no guaranteed money on his 2025 contract, Kamara is seeking long-term security. While the market for running backs has plummeted in recent years, the two sides should be able to work out a deal that satisfies both parties.

Kamara is too valuable to the Saints offense for the relationship to dissolve.

Kamara said he wasn't asking for "anything crazy" on an extension, though he conceded, "Whatever the perception is upstairs with whoever makes those decisions is obviously different," per WWL Radio Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak.

Kamara, who turns 29 on July 25, is nearing the age where some running backs begin to see a decline in their production.

And while Kamara ran for a career-low 694 yards last season, there's reason to believe he could bounce back in first-year offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's offensive scheme.

His 1,315 carries are the fifth-most since 2017 but still 605 fewer than Derrick Henry, 30, who signed a two-year, $16 million contract ($9 million guaranteed) with the Ravens this offseason.

"I don't feel like I have aging running back body syndrome," said Kamara.

Since entering the league in 2017, Kamara has been almost supernaturally gifted at staying on his feet and avoiding big hits, as this collection demonstrates.

Here are two nearly identical plays from the past two seasons in which Kamara caught a pass out of the backfield in the red zone and somehow made it past converging defenders and into the end zone.

Kamara remains a valuable weapon and New Orleans — despite missing the playoffs in each of the past three seasons — has shown no interest in rebuilding its roster.

A player of Kamara's caliber wouldn't be criticized for wanting a change of scenery, considering the Saints' position in the NFL's hierarchy.

Loyalty in sports is rare, but Kamara has it. The Saints should return the favor.