Saints' Alvin Kamara Threatens Retirement if Traded

Veteran running back says he'll 'drink a piña colada' if the Saints move him.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 11:41pm

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New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has already stated that he will retire if the team trades him, according to reports. Kamara made the comments back in October 2025, before the trade deadline, when he said he "doesn't want to go anywhere" and would "go drink a piña colada somewhere" if the Saints' GM Mickey Loomis tried to move him. With the Saints signing Travis Etienne to a big free agent deal, it's unclear if there's a future for Kamara in New Orleans.

Why it matters

Kamara's comments suggest he is willing to walk away from the game if the Saints trade him, which could complicate any potential deal. As one of the league's most productive running backs, Kamara's retirement would be a significant loss for the Saints and the NFL.

The details

In October 2025, Kamara told reporters that he "doesn't want to go anywhere" and would "go drink a piña colada somewhere" if the Saints' GM Mickey Loomis tried to trade him. This was before the 2025 trade deadline, and Kamara ended up staying in New Orleans. However, the Saints have since signed Travis Etienne to a lucrative free agent contract, which likely means Etienne will be the top running back. This could make Kamara expendable, leading to renewed trade rumors.

  • In October 2025, Kamara made his comments about retiring if traded.
  • The Saints signed Travis Etienne to a free agent deal in 2026.

The players

Alvin Kamara

A veteran running back for the New Orleans Saints who has threatened to retire if the team trades him.

Mickey Loomis

The general manager of the New Orleans Saints.

Travis Etienne

A running back who the Saints signed to a big free agent contract in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I don't want to go anywhere... So if Mickey (Loomis) comes down and says that, I'm going to go drink a piña colada somewhere.”

— Alvin Kamara, Saints Running Back

What’s next

The Saints will have to decide whether to trade, cut, or keep Alvin Kamara on the roster, with the threat of his retirement looming if he is moved.

The takeaway

Alvin Kamara's comments about retiring if traded highlight the complex dynamics facing the Saints as they navigate their backfield with the addition of Travis Etienne. The team will have to weigh Kamara's value against his willingness to walk away from the game if he's no longer in New Orleans.