Breaking Down the Possible Trade Partners for Saints Running Back Alvin Kamara
METAIRIE, La. – May 10, 2026 — The New Orleans Saints face a defining decision as the 2026 offseason progresses: what to do with franchise icon Alvin Kamara. The 30-year-old running back is entering the final year of his contract, and despite his public enthusiasm about sharing the backfield with new acquisition Travis Etienne, the organization’s actions—and lack of commitments—suggest a trade before the regular season is increasingly plausible .
Head coach Kellen Moore has remained conspicuously non-committal regarding Kamara’s future, telling reporters Friday after the team’s first rookie camp practice that the organization is simply “evaluating the roster as a whole” . That carefully worded response, combined with the Saints’ significant financial investment in Etienne this offseason, has sparked league-wide speculation about where Kamara could land. Several teams emerge as logical—if not intriguing—trade partners.
Why a Trade Makes Sense for New Orleans
The Saints’ backfield underwent a dramatic transformation in March when the team signed former Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $52 million contract . Etienne, a 27-year-old Louisiana native, is coming off a 1,399-yard, 13-touchdown season and represents the franchise’s future at the position. Beyond Etienne, New Orleans also retains Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, Audric Estime, and Ty Chandler—a crowded depth chart that makes Kamara’s $10.45 million cap hit an expensive luxury .
The financial mechanics of a trade are favorable after June 1. Moving Kamara before that date would saddle the Saints with more than $18 million in dead cap space, but a post-June 1 designation makes the transaction far more palatable . That timeline aligns perfectly with the current calendar, positioning the Saints to make a deal as training camp approaches.
Additionally, Kamara’s 2025 production raised legitimate concerns. He posted career lows in rushing yards (471), yards per carry (3.6), and total touchdowns (1) while appearing in just 11 games . Whether those numbers reflect the player’s decline or the dysfunction of a Saints offense in transition, they have undoubtedly influenced the front office’s willingness to explore trade options.
The Dallas Cowboys Connection
The most heavily speculated landing spot for Kamara is the Dallas Cowboys. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton recently floated Dallas as a “potential suitor” for the five-time Pro Bowler, and the fit is logical on multiple levels .
The Cowboys enter 2026 with Javonte Williams as their established starter after the 26-year-old rushed for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per carry last season . Behind Williams, however, the depth chart is thin. Malik Davis has proven serviceable but unspectacular, while 2025 sixth-round pick Jaydon Blue struggled as a rookie, serving as a healthy scratch for most games and managing just 129 inefficient rushing yards .
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has publicly challenged his backup running backs to step up, but if Blue fails to develop in offseason workouts, Dallas could seek a proven veteran . Kamara’s receiving ability would complement Williams’ between-the-tackles style perfectly, giving quarterback Dak Prescott a dynamic check-down option reminiscent of the role Kamara has excelled in throughout his career.
There is a significant catch: Dallas is short on late-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, limiting its ability to offer attractive compensation . The Saints would likely receive only a modest return—perhaps a Day 3 pick—for an aging back with declining efficiency metrics. But for a team looking to clear cap space and open touches for younger players, even a minimal return might be acceptable.
Cleveland Browns: An Under-the-Radar Possibility
While the Cowboys have dominated headlines, the Cleveland Browns represent a fascinating sleeper candidate. Under new head coach Todd Monken, the Browns have embraced a run-heavy offensive identity. Monken famously utilized Derrick Henry over the past two seasons and entered 2026 with second-year back Quinshon Judkins positioned as a potential workhorse .
Behind Judkins, however, the picture is murky. Dylan Sampson is locked into the third-down role, but the Browns currently project Raheim Sanders, Ahmani Marshall, and undrafted free agent Davon Booth as the primary reserves . Sanders showed flashes when healthy in 2025, but none of these options provide the proven, dual-threat capability that Kamara would bring.
Monken has historically kept four running backs on his roster plus a fullback, valuing depth and situational versatility . Kamara would immediately become the most accomplished receiver out of the backfield on Cleveland’s roster, and his experience in complex offensive systems would appeal to a coaching staff installing new schemes.
The Browns also have greater draft capital to work with than the Cowboys, though their appetite for acquiring a 30-year-old running back—even one with Kamara’s pedigree—remains uncertain. Cleveland has invested heavily in its offense around quarterback Deshaun Watson and may prefer to develop younger, cheaper options.
Why Other Speculated Teams Are Unlikely
The rumor mill has occasionally linked Kamara to franchises like the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets, but closer examination reveals those connections as tenuous at best.
The Eagles enter 2026 with Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley under contract, and they recently added veteran Dameon Pierce in free agency . After Barkley’s 2,000-yard rushing campaign in 2024, Philadelphia remains committed to its veteran bell cow. General manager Howie Roseman has consistently prioritized young, inexpensive depth behind Barkley rather than expensive veteran additions. The Eagles’ running back room is settled.
The Jets, meanwhile, just inked Breece Hall to a three-year, $45.75 million extension, firmly establishing the 2022 second-round pick as the centerpiece of their offense . With Geno Smith at quarterback and Garrett Wilson leading the receiving corps, New York has allocated its offensive resources elsewhere. Adding Kamara would create a redundant and expensive committee behind Hall—a non-starter for a team with other positional needs.
Kamara’s Stance: Staying or Going?
Complicating any trade discussion is Kamara’s public posture. In a May 4 appearance on former Saints teammate Terron Armstead’s podcast “The Set,” Kamara expressed enthusiasm about working with Etienne, directly addressing fan speculation about friction between the two backs.
“I think a lot of people be thinking there’s a beef or something when moves like this happen,” Kamara said. “It’s like, shoot, I couldn’t be happier. One, my boy got paid, and two, ain’t nothing but some help in the backfield. That’s the name of the game. One person can’t do it by themselves” .
Kamara went on to praise Etienne’s explosiveness, calling him a “home run hitter” and noting that the Louisiana native is “strong” and “seems smart” . Those comments suggest a player who sees value in a reduced workload extending his career, not one demanding a trade.
However, former Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu injected significant drama into the situation last week, suggesting the organization has mishandled its dealings with Kamara. “I don’t think the Saints are dealing with this in good faith,” Mathieu said. “This is not the way you treat your franchise all-time touchdown leader” .
Moore declined to engage with Mathieu’s comments directly, telling reporters he hadn’t seen them and choosing not to judge . But the head coach’s refusal to offer Kamara any vote of confidence speaks volumes.
The Bottom Line
The Saints hold the cards here. Kamara is under contract, wants to remain in New Orleans, and has publicly embraced his partnership with Etienne . But the organization’s financial commitment to Etienne, the depth behind him, and Kamara’s declining statistical output all point toward a franchise ready to turn the page.
If a trade materializes, the Cowboys remain the most likely destination despite their limited draft capital . The fit is clean: Dallas needs experienced depth behind Williams, and Kamara would thrive in a complementary receiving role. The Browns are a fascinating dark horse, but their interest is speculative at this stage .
What seems certain is that resolution is coming. The post-June 1 calendar has arrived, and the Saints face a simple choice: keep a franchise legend at a premium price for one final season, or move him for whatever draft capital they can secure and fully embrace the Etienne era.
For a Saints team that has spent two years reshaping its offensive identity around Moore’s vision, the answer may already be clear.
