​Alvin Kamara will return for a 10th season with the New Orleans Saints after the two sides agreed on a reworked contract. Kamara’s new deal will pay him a base salary of $6 million for 2026, with an opportunity to earn up to $8.5 million via incentives, according to the NFL Network.The five-time Pro Bowler, who turns 32 years old next week, has seen his production dip in recent seasons. The Saints also signed Travis Etienne Jr. at the position in March, which led to speculation that Kamara might be on his way out of New Orleans.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut the Saints saw value in pairing the two backs together, making his return possible.Here’s why it makes sense for the Saints:First things first: Kamara is not the same player he was earlier in his career. In his first 60 NFL games, he averaged 5 yards per carry and 8.7 yards per reception. Over his past 66 games, those averages each have dropped by more than a yard — to 3.9 and 7.6, respectively. In addition, Kamara hasn’t been as effective a pass protector in more recent seasons.Kamara was asked about the possibility of him being moved at the trade deadline after reports surfaced that he had interest from other teams. It even got to the point that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis asked Kamara if there was anywhere else he wanted to play. But Kamara said he wanted to remain a Saint.Play Yahoo’s new College Fantasy Football game: Create or join a league now!AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn his final five games last season, he struggled to generate yards in all but the upset over the Panthers, and the Saints all but abandoned the run game while transitioning quarterbacks, from Spencer Rattler to Tyler Shough.By the end of November, Kamara landed on injured reserve with knee and ankle injuries and was shut down for the season.The Saints finished the season on a mini-hot streak, winning four of their final five without Kamara as Shough emerged and the defense stepped up. That finish put a positive finish on Kellen Moore’s first season as head coach, with hopes running higher entering 2026.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe addition of Etienne filled a need for a younger, more explosive back, even if it came at a steep cost: $12 million per year, which was just below what Kamara’s pre-adjustment contract was set to pay him.Even with Kamara’s reduced deal, the Saints still have one of the more expensive RB rooms in the league. But the beauty of Kamara at this stage of his career is that he can be more of an amoeba back, capable of complementing Etienne — and therefore reducing his workload — but also able to step up into a lead role if needed.Had the Saints moved on from Kamara, it would have been left with some thin ranks. Etienne has been reliable from a health standpoint in his career, but he also has had only one 300-touch season and topped the 60% mark for offensive snaps in four years.Kamara is probably the more sure-handed receiver (especially on Moore’s