Saints' most overpaid player is beloved offensive star with $10.5 million cap hit

The New Orleans Saints have been trying to get out of cap purgatory for multiple seasons now, and finally have done so in 2026, as they aren't needing to borrow from the future on all of their free agent contracts.

They could sign Travis Etienne Jr. and David Edwards to their contracts without having to push a ton of money into the future. They're finally in a good spot financially. Though there is one contract that stands out for the Saints that should be moved on from.

As Brad Gagnon pointed out for Bleacher Report, the Saints' beloved offensive star, carrying a $10.5 million cap hit in 2026, is the most overpaid player on the team. And unfortunately, that former star is running back Alvin Kamara.

Alvin Kamara is Saints' most overpaid player.

"We'll see if the five-time Pro Bowler sticks around following the addition of Travis Etienne Jr., because even after a recent restructure, Kamara is a relative albatross with a $10.5 million cap hit for 2026," Gagnon writes.

New Orleans might finally be out of the red financially, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't have contracts that are holding it back.

This Kamara deal is one such case. He's counting for $10.6 million against the cap in 2026. For a running back set to back up Etienne, that's far too much money.

More: Alvin Kamara might retire if trade rumors with Saints come true

He's currently slated to be the sixth-highest cap hit among running backs in 2026, which, for the 30-year-old running back who regressed in a big way last season, is far too much money.

Kamara has been floated as a trade candidate, but if he does seriously consider retirement like he's alluded to before, then the Saints could either cut him or hope he retires and takes his contract off the books.

This deal for Kamara is for far too much money and is easily the Saints' most overpaid player currently on the roster, especially in the wake of the Etienne deal.

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• The Marshon Lattimore trade has aged incredibly well for Saints
• Saints are predicted to draft Sonny Styles eighth overall
• Saints to sign David Edwards away from Bill on $61 million contract
• Travis Etienne Jr. agrees to Saints deal leaving Jaguars behind
• Saints get negative feedback on $52M Travis Etienne addition from ESPN