NFL News: Drew Brees supports 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 their stars to acquire draft picks for a potential rebuild.

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

“If I was a general manager, I guess I would go to the player and say, ‘Hey, we’re trading you. Just to let you know.’ If Mickey comes down and says that, then I’ll go have a piña colada somewhere,” Kamara recently told reporters.

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As someone who knows Kamara very well, Saints legend Drew Brees loved hearing this response from his former running back.

“Look, this whole thing is unfortunate and wouldn’t even be a topic if the Saints weren’t 1-6,” Brees told PK Press Club Digital, while discussing his flag football organization, Football ‘N’ America, in partnership with Unrivaled Sports. “Immediately when people think the season is ‘lost’ or it’s very unlikely, all of a sudden you start handing out these pieces to get draft picks to build for the future. That term is ‘rebuild,’ right?

ALVIN KAMARA THREATENS RETIREMENT IF SAINTS TRY TO TRADE HIM: “I’LL DRINK A PIÑA COLADA SOMEWHERE”

“I know Alvin obviously, 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 loves the people. He doesn’t want to go anywhere. So when the subject comes up with him, ‘Hey, what would you think…’ He doesn’t want to go anywhere else. ‘This is my team, I want to play here in front of these fans.’ I just think it’s a testament to his loyalty and that’s pretty rare these days, to be honest with you. This should be celebrated more than anything. »

Kamara isn’t the only attractive Saints star in the building. Receiver Chris Olave is another name swirling in trade speculation, while players like defensive end Cam Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis could also be considered trade candidates.

Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints hands off 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 out just because of what the record says. Having leaders like these in the locker room goes a long way.

“I think everyone’s reaction, especially when you don’t win, is that something is seriously wrong and who is to blame? Brees explained. “Everyone seems to want dysfunction, which makes for a better story. I would almost say there’s a lot more dysfunction that I know of on some winning teams right now than on teams like the Saints, who are 1-6.

“I think everyone loves coach. I think coach has really endeared himself to a lot of people on the team. They love playing for him despite the record, and I think we have guys that care about the organization, the city, the community. They love being a part of the team, they love being leaders on the team. They’re really proud of it.”

Alvin Kamara and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints battle against the Los Angeles Rams during 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 believes his old 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 believe the pieces are in place, especially those like Kamara who want to stay put to return the Saints to their playoff ways.