Tyrann Mathieu criticizes Saints for developing rift with Alvin Kamara
TL;DR
Tyrann Mathieu criticizes the New Orleans Saints for creating a rift with Alvin Kamara following the firing of Dennis Allen. He emphasizes that the organization is not treating Kamara, the franchise's all-time touchdown leader, with the respect he deserves.
Key points
- Tyrann Mathieu criticizes the Saints' treatment of Alvin Kamara
- Firing of Dennis Allen was meant to reset the organization
- Mathieu highlights a rift between the Saints and Kamara
- Kamara is the franchise's all-time leader in touchdowns
- Declining performance adds to the tension within the team
Mentioned in this story
Tyrann Mathieu criticizes Saints for developing rift with Alvin Kamara
Firing of Dennis Allen in 2024 was supposed to be a reset for the New Orleans Saints. Instead, according to former All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu, it might have created a rift within the Saints' organization between the Saints' brass and star running back Alvin Kamara.
Speaking openly on his In The Bayou YouTube show, Mathieu shared his perspective on the "family" dynamic within the Saints organization. For years, the organization was known for its tight-knit culture at the top, but Mathieu suggested that the same closeness could have made the coaching change personal for people in the organization. Take that with a dip in Kamara's performance as he reaches the later years of his career and you're dealing with tension.
"Man I'm a say something and I hope it's not taken out of context," Mathieu began. "I don't think the Saints (front office) is dealing with this in good faith. I don't think so. I don't think, like, this is not what you do to, I want to be hesitant to say that (it's a bad relationship with Kamara) but this is not the way you treat your all-time touchdown leader. I know his production hasn't been what we thought it was going to be, right, but he is still this franchise's leader in (expletive) yards and touchdowns and you know, so without him having 1,000 yards, you know, rushing.
"I think the Saints would rather not have to make a hard decision and he just walk in one day and say, 'Hey, look, I'm gonna retire.' You know what I'm saying? Because I don't think they really got the, you know, and I know Mickey (Loomis), I hope you don't take this wrong, but I just don't think they got the balls to just outright cut him. And it's kind of the same thing with Cam Jordan. Like I would much rather you come out and say 'Cam, go find somewhere else to play,'" Mathieu said. He likened the experience to his departure with the Kansas City Chiefs, where Chiefs general manager Brett Veach told him the team couldn't afford to pay Mathieu and star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
That family loyalty now seems to have created a rift. Mathieu noted that many of the team's decision-makers were very loyal to Allen, who was part of the team's 2009 Super Bowl run. He suggested that the front office could view Kamara as a primary catalyst for the change. Kamara is believed to have been one of several players who personally appealed to team owner Gayle Benson to move on from their embattled former coach.
"One of my good sources told me a few people in that building, they're mad at Kamara because of the way he sort of spearheaded getting Dennis Allen fired," Mathieu said. "And so you got somebody fired, but you didn't produce neither, right? The Saints organization — for people that haven’t been a part of it — it’s really like a family. So you’re going to argue, you’re going to fight, you're going to do all that (expletive) but at the end of the day, you’re family, right? And I think a few of those people, a few of those decision makers who was in love with Dennis Allen because he did have great defenses. He did, he was one of the guys to bring home a Super Bowl. And it's just history there and I think some people picked a side. And I think he got caught in it and he's still in it, you know."
Kamara, who rushed for 471 yards on 131 carries in 2025, is now at a crossroads with the organization. New Orleans signed running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year deal worth $48 million in free agency, which could put the writing on the wall for Kamara's future with the franchise. He's been the subject of trade talks and even rumors of a potential release, though no decision has been made. Kamara also recently expressed excitement about a tandem with Etienne.
"I wish him the best, man. I wish him well," Mathieu said. "You would hope that he could go somewhere and just sort of finish it out, you know — the last two, three years somewhere..."
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 18: Members of Wildcats FFC and Founders FFC pose for a photograph during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on March 18, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 18: Running back Alvin Kamara poses for a photograph with quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Tom Brady of the Founders FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on March 18, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Alvin Kamara attend the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Alvin Kamara attend the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Alvin Kamara attends the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: (L-R) Alvin Kamara, Devonta Smith, Sean Payton, Jalen Hurts and Rob Gronkowski attend the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Alvin Kamara attends the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: (L-R back row) Rob Gronkowski, Terence Crawford, Jalen Hurts, Alvin Kamara, DeVonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, Jim Harbaugh, head coach Sean Payton, (L-R front row) Patrick Peterson, Tom Brady, Von Miller, Damar Hamlin, Ashton Jeanty, Antoine Winfield Jr. attend the Practice during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: (L-R back row) Rob Gronkowski, Terence Crawford, Jalen Hurts, Alvin Kamara, DeVonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, Jim Harbaugh, Head coach Sean Payton, (L-R front row) Patrick Peterson, Tom Brady, Von Miller, Damar Hamlin, Ashton Jeanty, Antoine Winfield Jr. attend the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara # of the Founders FFC looks to pass against Isaiah Calhoun #11 of the US Men's Flag Football Team during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara of the Founders FFC runs the ball during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC, Mike Daniels #3 of the US Men's Flag Football Team and Stefon Diggs #8 of the Founders FFC pose for a photo during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Pablo Smith #14 of the US Men's Flag Football Team runs the ball during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC runs the ball by Aamir Brown #5 of the US Men's Flag Football Team during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC looks on during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Wildcats FFC stops Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara of the Founders FFC looks on during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 of Founders FFC attempts to avoid Luke Kuechly #59 of Wildcats FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic 2026 at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 makes a catch in front of Aamir Brown #5 of Team USA during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic 2026 at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the Wildcats FFC and Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC speak during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 18: Members of Wildcats FFC and Founders FFC pose for a photograph during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on March 18, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
1 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 18: Members of Wildcats FFC and Founders FFC pose for a photograph during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on March 18, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
2 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 18: Running back Alvin Kamara poses for a photograph with quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Tom Brady of the Founders FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on March 18, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Alvin Kamara attend the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Alvin Kamara attend the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Alvin Kamara attends the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: (L-R) Alvin Kamara, Devonta Smith, Sean Payton, Jalen Hurts and Rob Gronkowski attend the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
7 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Alvin Kamara attends the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
8 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: (L-R back row) Rob Gronkowski, Terence Crawford, Jalen Hurts, Alvin Kamara, DeVonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, Jim Harbaugh, head coach Sean Payton, (L-R front row) Patrick Peterson, Tom Brady, Von Miller, Damar Hamlin, Ashton Jeanty, Antoine Winfield Jr. attend the Practice during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
9 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: (L-R back row) Rob Gronkowski, Terence Crawford, Jalen Hurts, Alvin Kamara, DeVonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, Jim Harbaugh, Head coach Sean Payton, (L-R front row) Patrick Peterson, Tom Brady, Von Miller, Damar Hamlin, Ashton Jeanty, Antoine Winfield Jr. attend the Practice and Press Conferences during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
10 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara # of the Founders FFC looks to pass against Isaiah Calhoun #11 of the US Men's Flag Football Team during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara of the Founders FFC runs the ball during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
12 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC, Mike Daniels #3 of the US Men's Flag Football Team and Stefon Diggs #8 of the Founders FFC pose for a photo during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
13 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Pablo Smith #14 of the US Men's Flag Football Team runs the ball during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
14 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC runs the ball by Aamir Brown #5 of the US Men's Flag Football Team during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC looks on during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
16 / 20
Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Wildcats FFC stops Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara of the Founders FFC looks on during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 of Founders FFC attempts to avoid Luke Kuechly #59 of Wildcats FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic 2026 at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Alvin Kamara #41 makes a catch in front of Aamir Brown #5 of Team USA during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic 2026 at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Look: Alvin Kamara catches, runs, and throws at Flag Football Classic
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the Wildcats FFC and Alvin Kamara #41 of the Founders FFC speak during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Tyrann Mathieu: Saints hold Dennis Allen's firing against Alvin Kamara
Q&A
What did Tyrann Mathieu say about Alvin Kamara's treatment by the Saints?
Tyrann Mathieu criticized the Saints for not treating Alvin Kamara, their all-time touchdown leader, with the respect he deserves amid organizational changes.
How did the firing of Dennis Allen affect the Saints' relationship with Kamara?
The firing of Dennis Allen was supposed to reset the Saints, but it reportedly created a rift between the organization and star running back Alvin Kamara.
What concerns did Mathieu express regarding the Saints' front office?
Mathieu expressed concerns that the Saints' front office is not dealing with Alvin Kamara in good faith, suggesting a lack of respect for his contributions.
Why is Alvin Kamara's performance a point of tension within the Saints?
Kamara's declining performance as he ages has contributed to the tension, despite him being the franchise's leader in yards and touchdowns.