NFL News: Drew Brees backs Alvin Kamara’s loyalty to Saints amid trade talks

With the NFL trade deadline getting closer by the day, all eyes are on teams like the New Orleans Saints to see if they are willing to trade away their stars to acquire draft picks for a potential rebuild.

One of those stars is running back Alvin Kamara, but he made it clear what he would do if general manager Mickey Loomis were to trade him. Kamara said he and Loomis are on the same page, but in the unlikely event that happens, he threatened to retire.

“If I was a GM, I think I’d go to the player and say, ‘Hey, we’re trading you. Just to let you know.” If Mickey comes down and says that, I’m going to go drink a piña colada somewhere,” Kamara told reporters recently.

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As someone who knows Kamara pretty well, Saints legend Drew Brees loved hearing that answer from his old running back.

“Look, all of this is unfortunate and wouldn’t even be an issue if the Saints weren’t 1-6,” Brees told Pakinomist Digital while discussing his flag football organization, Football ‘N’ America, in association with Unrivaled Sports. “Immediately, when people think the season is ‘lost’ or a high improbability, all of a sudden you start handing out these pieces to get drafts to build for the future. That term rebuilds, right?

ALVIN KAMARA THREATS RETIREMENT IF SINTS TRY TO TRADE HIM: ‘I’LL DRINK A PIÑA COLADA SOMEWHERE’

“Obviously I know Alvin, but for those who don’t know Alvin, I think you should read his comments because he loves being a part of the New Orleans Saints and he loves the city of New Orleans and he loves the people. He doesn’t want to go anywhere. So when the subject is brought up with him, ‘Hey, what would you think about…’ He doesn’t want to play anywhere else in front of these fans.’ I just think it’s a testament to his loyalty, and that’s kind of rare these days, to be honest with you. That should be celebrated more than anything else.”

Kamara isn’t the only attractive Saints star in the building. Wide receiver Chris Olave is another name swirling in trade speculation, while players like defensive end Cam Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis are also seen as trade candidates.

Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints passes the ball to Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 4, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

But Brees doesn’t like the idea of ​​selling just because of what the record says. Having leaders like them in the locker room goes a long way.

“I think the reaction for everybody, especially when you don’t win, that something must be really wrong and who do we blame?” Brees explained. “Everybody seems to want dysfunction — makes for a better story. I’d almost argue there’s a lot more dysfunction I know on some winning teams right now than there is on teams like the Saints, who are 1-6.

“I think everybody loves the coach. I think the coach has really loved a lot of the team. They love playing for him despite the record, and I think we have guys who care about the organization, the city, the community. They love being part of the team, they love being leaders on the team. They take pride in that.”

Alvin Kamara and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints look on against the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Brees feels his former team is “close,” but they may still need to find their identity. The coach he mentions is new head coach Kellen Moore, who is a first-year head coach that New Orleans really likes.

No one expected the Saints to turn around quickly this season, but Brees and others feel the pieces are in place, especially those like Kamara who want to stay in place to get the Saints back to their playoff ways.