EXCLUSIVE: Revealed – Possible Trade Partners For Saints Star Alvin Kamara
As the New Orleans Saints reload their backfield with a blockbuster investment, the clock appears to be ticking on the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. With the calendar hurtling toward the critical post-June 1 window, team insiders and league analysts are buzzing: Where will Alvin Kamara land?
NEW ORLEANS — For nine years, Alvin Kamara has been the heartbeat of the Saints’ offense, a silky-smooth dual-threat nightmare who redefined the running back position in the Big Easy. But in a league that waits for no one, the winds of change are howling through the Bayou.
After a stunning offseason spending spree, the Saints are now the only team in the NFL paying two running backs over $12 million per year . With newly signed Travis Etienne Jr.—and a stable of young backs waiting in the wings—New Orleans appears ready to move on from its five-time Pro Bowler.
So, where could “Kamara the Contractor” end up?
Following exclusive intel and a deep dive into league-wide roster construction, we have identified the top suitors. While Kamara has publicly flirted with the idea of retirement if forced out, the allure of a Super Bowl ring may be too strong to ignore.
Here are the potential trade partners who could pull off the heist for one of the most electric playmakers of his generation.
The Background: A Split Waiting to Happen
On the surface, the vibes in New Orleans are cordial. Kamara recently appeared on former teammate Terron Armstead’s podcast, “The Set,” expressing excitement about teaming up with Etienne . He reminisced about the glory days of the Mark Ingram tandem, saying, “I think that’s what we’re trying to find. Me and Mark set the bar very high. I’m 100 percent for it.”
But behind closed doors, the math doesn’t lie. The Saints restructured Kamara’s contract in March, a move that gave them cap relief but also greased the wheels for a departure. If the Saints trade Kamara after June 1, they will save $456,741 against the cap. If they do it before, they eat a crippling $7.6 million dead cap hit . June 1 is the magic date.
Furthermore, General Manager Mickey Loomis has been eerily vague about Kamara’s future. When asked recently if the team and player were on the same page, Loomis demurred: “I’d rather keep that to myself at this point” .
The writing is on the wall. Here are the teams that Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, and other major outlets have linked to the veteran rusher.
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1. The Obvious Aggressor: Dallas Cowboys
The Buzz: Loudest & Most Persistent
If you are looking for a betting favorite, head to Texas. The Dallas Cowboys have been consistently named by insiders, including Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, as the primary landing spot for Kamara .
Why it works: This has Jerry Jones’ fingerprints all over it. The Cowboys ended their two-year playoff drought, but they need juice. Dallas currently has Javonte Williams slotted as the starter after a 1,201-yard resurgence in 2025, but behind him, the depth chart is shaky at best—featuring Malik Davis and a disappointing Jaydon Blue .
Kamara wouldn’t need to be the workhorse in Dallas; he just needs to be the closer. Pairing his elite route-running with Williams’ physicality would give Dak Prescott the most versatile backfield weapon he has had since the prime Ezekiel Elliott years.
The Intrigue: There is a cruel irony here. Cowboys fans already have nightmares about Kamara, who absolutely demolished them in a Week 2 matchup in 2024, scoring four total touchdowns .
The Hold-up: Dallas is light on draft capital in 2027, and they would need Kamara to agree to a role reduction—and waive his apparent “trade me and I’ll retire” stance .
2. The Dynasty Fit: Kansas City Chiefs
The Buzz: The Dark Horse that makes too much sense
While the Cowboys are the sexy headline, the Kansas City Chiefs represent the most terrifying football fit. Analyst Moe Moton has floated the Chiefs as a perfect schematic match, and one Yahoo Sports report noted that Kansas City makes even more sense than Dallas due to their specific personnel needs .
Why it works: The Chiefs have Kenneth Walker as a two-down grinder, but they have lacked a true third-down savant since Jerick McKinnon’s heyday. Andy Reid loves backs who can line up wide and run option routes. Kamara is that.
The Fit: Imagine Kamara in space with Patrick Mahomes. Defensive coordinators would simply quit. Kamara would face single coverage from linebackers every single snap. In Kansas City, Kamara wouldn’t just be a running back; he would be a slot receiver who occasionally takes a handoff.
The Cap Magic: The Chiefs are perennial Super Bowl contenders. They can afford to take a flier on a 30-year-old veteran if the price is a mid-to-late-round pick, which is all the Saints are likely to command .
3. The Sleeper (And The Obstacle)
The dark horse? Other reports have loosely linked the veteran to “running back-needy” teams looking for a veteran presence, though none have solidified into strong rumors like Dallas and Kansas City .
But there is a massive elephant in the room.
The Retirement Risk. Before we get too carried away, we have to listen to the man himself. Last October, long before the Etienne signing, Kamara was asked about being traded. His response was chillingly definitive:
“I don’t want to go anywhere. If Mickey [Loomis] comes down and says that, I’m going to drink a piña colada somewhere.”
That threat looms over any negotiation. If a team trades for Kamara, they need assurance he will actually show up to camp. For a player who has made over $75 million in his career, the motivation to pack his bags for a cold-weather city might be lower than the motivation to retire to a beach.
The Verdict
The Saints’ hand is forced by the calendar. They have invested $52 million in Travis Etienne . They have Kendre Miller and Devin Neal waiting in the wings . Kamara is a luxury item on a roster that is currently in a soft rebuild.
Expect a trade to occur sometime in the first two weeks of June.
If it happens, look for Dallas to be the aggressor. Jerry Jones loves a headline, loves a veteran, and loves a player who once single-handedly beat his team. Kamara in a Cowboys jersey would be the splash move of the NFC offseason.
However, if Dallas balks at the price tag or the retirement threat, Andy Reid and the Chiefs will be lurking. Adding Kamara to that offense might be the only way to make the defending champions more unstoppable.
One thing is certain: The era of Alvin Kamara in New Orleans is in its final, fading days. The only question left is: Who is going to hand him the piña colada?
