Saints RB Jamaal Williams Supports Alvin Kamara's Decision to Skip Camp Due to Contract Dispute
It's just business, baby!
The New Orleans Saints must figure out a new contract for running back Alvin Kamara after he exited offseason camps in clear protest.
OutKick's Glen Guilbeau reported,
"Kamara dressed out for practice on the last day of the Saints mini-camp workouts here and went through the walk-through. Then he reversed his field and left the facility in regular clothes.
"This was a protest aimed at the stalled contract negotiations between his representation and the Saints."
READ: Saints' Alvin Kamara Exits Mini-Camp In Contract Protest After A Very Mini-Season | Glenn Guilbeau
After a rough 2023-24 campaign for Kamara, the fading Saints star wants a restructured contract.
Despite the outside noise, teammates are supporting Alvin Kamara's holdout.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 10: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after defeating the Chicago Bears with a score of 21 to 9 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 10, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Fellow Saints running back Jamaal Williams — on record for the best postgame interview ever — backed his teammate's holdout amid concerns of Kamara checking out on New Orleans.
Speaking with NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, Williams gave his blunt thoughts on Kamara's absence.
Williams called it "all business," championing that the Saints pay the 28-year-old running back more money in a weak RB market.
"Me personally, just as me as a man, I respect everybody as the man they are and the decisions they make as a man," Williams said Monday.
METAIRIE, LA - JULY 27: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) stretching during training camp on July 27, 2019 at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, LA. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"So whatever they do is up to them. Me at all times, I support them and whatever they do because I just love that for them and who they are as a person, and Alvin is a tremendous, great teammate, awesome person, 100%," he added.
"He stays 10 toes down on his business and what he believes in. That's just him. I'm behind him 100% of what he does because he's just looking for his well-being. That's all we want for each other."
Saints QB Derek Carr threw support behind Kamara last week.
While teammates back Kamara's return on the team's dime, Kamara's waning production and off-the-field issues in the last two years stir enough concern for any front office.
Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowl player, tallied 694 rushing yards, adding 466 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns last season. He last signed a five-year, $75 million extension with the Saints in 2020. With no guarantees in line for the 2025 season, Kamara surely seeks more commitment from New Orleans.
(Should the Saints pivot away from Alvin Kamara? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)
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