Saints' Kamara 'couldn't be happier' to share backfield with Etienne

Running back Alvin Kamara reiterated his desire to stay with the New Orleans Saints on Monday despite recent speculation about his future.

"I couldn't be happier," Kamara said Monday on "The Set," a show hosted by retired offensive tackle Terron Armstead. "One, my boy got paid. Two, it's some help in the backfield."

NFL teams reportedly began monitoring Kamara's situation after the Saints signed running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $47.4-million contract in an unexpected move during free agency in March.

"One person can't do it by themself," the 30-year-old added.

Kamara likes the idea of having multiple high-profile running backs in the same backfield. He fondly recalled his time playing alongside Mark Ingram. The two earned Pro Bowl berths together in 2017.

"That's what we're trying to do," Kamara said. "Me and Mark set the bar. ... I'm 100% for it. If that's the direction we're going in, I'm with it."

"Explosive," Kamara said of Etienne. "He hit home runs. ... I'm excited to see what we can do together."

Kamara, who turns 31 in July, has one year left on his contract. He also came up in trade rumors during the 2025 season. At the time, he suggested that he could retire if New Orleans moved him, saying in October he'd "go drink a piña colada somewhere" if a trade took place.

Injuries limited Kamara to only 11 appearances last year. The five-time Pro Bowler averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry in 2025 and recorded fewer than 1,100 scrimmage yards for the first time. He scored only one touchdown.