Alvin Kamara looked every bit like the star running back he is over the first two days of Saints minicamp practice, but he was nowhere to be seen on Day 3.
That's because after going through the day's walkthrough he opted to depart without a word to his head coach, a move related to a contract dispute with the team, news first reported by Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com.
“I haven’t had the chance to talk to him," Allen said, "so I’m not sure why he wasn’t out here for the rest of practice.”
It's unclear whether the absence will be viewed as unexcused, an important distinction considered unexcused absences or departures from mandatory camp can draw a fine just under $17,000.
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak also wouldn't wade into the question of Kamara's departure, leaving his comments to what he saw from the 28-year-old RB over his time in the building and that the pair had been in contact regularly despite his absence from voluntary OTA workouts over the past month.
Kamara, speaking after Tuesday's practice, made it clear that those absences were nothing more than him sticking to his routine.
"I like getting in there, getting in the action and doing it," Kamara said, "but nothing has changed from what I’ve been doing the last couple years.”
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The new impasse is notable and the type of situation the Saints have largely avoided in recent years. There have been several lucrative extensions handed out in recent years, but no true holdouts since Michael Thomas in 2019 after which he was given the top wide receiver contract in the NFL. Ahead of the 2022 season the team did appear to be at odds with C.J. Gardner-Johnson relative to his contract, but he was traded prior to the season.
It's notable that Kamara's contract is the lone major deal that has not been restructured by the team heading into the 2024 season, with news breaking Thursday morning that the team had restructured Taysom Hill's deal to free up an additional $6 million in cap space. The decision allows for some flexibility heading into the final two years of Kamara's deal, a 5-year, $75 million contract signed ahead of the 2020 season.
The way Kamara's deal is structured it's likely the Saints would make some type of move, creating a scenario where the 2024 season functions as something of a contract year. A trade prior to the 2021 season would leave the Saints on the hook for $8 million against the cap this year, while freeing up $10 million in space. He would then count $10 million against the cap in the 2025 season.
Kamara's status with the team throughout the deal has remained positive, though he was embroiled in a controversy stemming from an incident in Las Vegas over the past two seasons. That culminated in a three-game suspension served at the beginning of last season.
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Kamara has been a key cog in the Saints offense since he was selected in the third round of the 2017 draft, rolling up 10,048 total yards and 77 total touchdowns while taking down a slew of team records. His efficiency has dipped in recent years, particularly in the run game, an issue that is hoped to be remedied in the new scheme this season.
Looking around the league, it's likely that Kamara would be identifying the contract extension for Christian McCaffrey -- another member of that 2017 class -- as a target. The 49ers handed their star running back a 2-year, $38 million extension this offseason after he led the league in rushing yards (1,425) and touchdowns (21).