Alvin Kamara's recent walkout from the final New Orleans Saints minicamp practice has led to some uneasiness among fans amid his contract dispute. Entering the final year of his contract, Kamara and the Saints are reportedly far from agreeing on an extension.

Kamara's action during practice clearly signals where he stands heading into the 2025 season: he's not backing down. Known for being resilient on and off the field, Kamara's move mirrors his 2020 approach when he missed practice to make his point.

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Kamara turns 29 next month, an age when teams typically hesitate to invest heavily in running backs. Despite this, Kamara's performance remains impressive, and he really hasn't lost a step. He has remained a crucial leader in the Saints' offense even during tough times.

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In perhaps the most informative report on the Saints running back's contract situation, Nick Underhill of New Orleans Football highlights that Kamara's dip to 3.9 yards per carry last season is more about poor blocking than a decline in his abilities. With offensive changes and improvements, Kamara's effectiveness could significantly improve.

The Saints have been mindful of their finances, preparing for a future possibly without Kamara. This cautious approach, though understandable, brings risks given Kamara's key role in the new offensive system.

No other running back on the roster comes remotely close to matching Kamara's level. While Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams show potential, neither has proven capable of filling Kamara's shoes.

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Like Underhill says in this very in-depth piece, the Saints and Kamara must find common ground that respects his value and the team's financial strategies. A well-structured contract could keep Kamara in New Orleans for the next few years, benefiting both sides and making him a Saint for life.

For more on this negotiation, read Nick Underhill's report here at New Orleans Football.

 

READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest

Stacker used data from the 2020 County Health Rankings to rank every state's average life expectancy from lowest to highest. The 2020 County Health Rankings values were calculated using mortality counts from the 2016-2018 National Center for Health Statistics. The U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey and America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2019 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state's rank on senior health care, respectively.

Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.

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