Saints Sign $52M RB Travis Etienne, Kamara Retirement Rumors Swirl

Five-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara's future with the Saints is uncertain after the team signed Etienne to a lucrative deal.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The New Orleans Saints have signed former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract. This move has sparked speculation that five-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara could potentially retire rather than split carries or be traded by the Saints. Kamara, who is still just 30 years old, is under contract with the Saints through the 2026 season, but his workload and production declined in 2025 due to injuries.

Why it matters

The Saints are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 6-11 season in 2025, and the addition of Etienne could provide a potent one-two punch in the backfield alongside Kamara. However, Kamara's future with the team is now uncertain, as the high-priced Etienne signing has led to speculation that Kamara could walk away from the game rather than accept a reduced role.

The details

The Saints signed Etienne, the former Jaguars running back, to a four-year, $52 million contract on Monday, giving him an average annual salary of $13 million. This is a significant investment, especially considering that Kamara signed a two-year, $24.5 million extension with the Saints in October 2024 that runs through the 2026 season. Etienne is coming off a bounce-back year in 2025, where he rushed for 1,107 yards and 13 total touchdowns, helping the Jaguars win the AFC South. Prior to a dip in production in 2024, Etienne had hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each of his first two NFL seasons.

  • Kamara signed a two-year, $24.5 million extension with the Saints in October 2024 that runs through the 2026 season.
  • The Saints signed Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract on Monday, March 10, 2026.

The players

Alvin Kamara

A five-time Pro Bowl running back who has spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints. Kamara is known for his pass-catching ability out of the backfield, but his production and playing time declined in 2025 due to injuries.

Travis Etienne

A former running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Etienne signed a four-year, $52 million contract with the New Orleans Saints on Monday. Etienne is coming off a bounce-back 2025 season where he rushed for 1,107 yards and 13 total touchdowns.

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What’s next

The Saints will need to determine Alvin Kamara's future with the team in the coming weeks and months, as the high-priced signing of Travis Etienne has led to speculation that Kamara could potentially retire rather than accept a reduced role.

The takeaway

The Saints' signing of Travis Etienne to a lucrative four-year, $52 million contract has cast uncertainty over the future of five-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara in New Orleans. This move highlights the difficult decisions NFL teams must make when balancing the needs of the team with the desires of star players, and could ultimately lead to Kamara's departure from the only franchise he has ever known.