Alvin Kamara’s contract situation has been a constant topic of discussion this offseason. He is entering the final year of his contract and was hoping for an extension that has not yet materialized. As the New Orleans Saints prepare for their season opener against the Carolina Panthers, the two sides have not yet agreed to a deal.

Nor should they be expected to reach an agreement any time soon. Kamara told reporters on Monday that the year is too far advanced to strike a deal.”

“It is too late for contract talks,” he said.

Kamara left the team’s final minicamp practice, which led to this discussion in June, and there doesn’t seem to have been much progress since then.

We have seen players agree to new contracts at the start of the season, but Kamara will not be added to that group. He does not want to drag the negotiations into the season.

He reiterated his “too late” statement, saying, “I’m at a point where I’m not even going to talk about it until the season is over. I don’t want to talk about it.”

Entering a contract year in a new system could be problematic for some, but Kamara’s football intelligence makes that a non-issue. The scheme is also designed to heavily involve the running back. Kamara will have plenty of opportunity next offseason to show why he deserves a new contract.