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NFL·ANALYSIS·July 29, 2026 06:10 PM ET

Kamara says motivation, not a chip, drives him after $5.5M pay cut

The 31-year-old is entering his 10th NFL season.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 291 min read
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What happened: Kamara said Wednesday that he is motivated every year and described himself as “maybe” angry after accepting reduced pay. He said he agreed to stay because New Orleans is where he wanted to be.

Why it matters: His reworked deal guarantees $6 million and can reach $8.5 million through incentives, tying compensation to his 2026 role. No longer the lead back, he enters camp seeking touches in a changed backfield.

By the numbers: Kamara played 11 games in 2025, rushing 131 times for 471 yards and one touchdown. His 3.6 yards per carry, 471 rushing yards and one score were career lows.

What to watch: His preseason workload and share of first-team snaps will clarify how the Saints plan to use him.

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