“Resource Management” suggests that Kamara’s future will come down to finances. The soon-to-be-31-year-old Kamara will account for $10.4 million in cap space in 2026. A June 1 (or later) cut would only relieve the Saints of $376,000 of the 2026 cap, but would significantly reduce the amount of dead cap they have to carry in 2027 if the projected $16 million goes up to $16 million. Kamara will spend the upcoming season with the Saints.
Kamara’s future has been in doubt since the Saints signed Travis Etienne in March, a sign of replacing a backfield that already faced a future without him in 2025, a season in which knee problems limited Kamara to 11 games, a career-low 471 rushing yards and one total touchdown. For the first time in his nine-year career, Kamara faded from the center of the Saints’ attack to a supporting character, giving the club a glimpse of future life without him.
Kamara, who recently said he’s looking forward to a 10th year in New Orleans, could soon find himself retiring as a loser, primarily because the Saints likely don’t want to reserve nearly $30 million in cap space for one back on the roster (Etienne, slated for $13 million in 2027) and another expiring in 2026.
Ultimately, the 35-year-old Hill appears headed for either retirement or a reunion with former Saints coach Sean Payton in Denver. The beloved restaurateur hasn’t received a contract offer from Loomis’ front office and has already hinted that his time in New Orleans may be coming to an end when he reflected on his career with the Saints during an emotional postgame press conference in December.
“That’s more of a discussion that Taysom and I will probably have to have,” Loomis said. “These kids have earned the right to self-determination. We’re not going to put any deadlines on anything.”
With Moore at the helm, the Saints are finally breaking free from the era defined by Payton and legendary quarterback Drew Brees and are beginning to forge a new path forward. With a new journey comes change, including a reduced role for Hill in his ninth season in New Orleans that suggested he no longer served the same useful purpose he did under Payton.
Whether that leads him back to Payton or to the happy path of retirement remains to be seen. As is the case with Kamara and Jordan, we’ll likely get answers on all three within the next month, if not sooner.