New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

NFL wondering about status of longtime Saints RB Alvin Kamara

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 9:55 PM ET

Alvin Kamara has been with the New Orleans Saints since they selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Tennessee.

He's been one of the best running backs in the NFL during his time with the Saints while healthy. The issue for him has been his health.

Last season, Kamara suffered a sprained MCL in Week 12 that ended his season. In total, he played in just 11 games.

Kamara will be 31 at the start of the 2026 season, and second-year head coach Kellen Moore already seemed to be phasing him out a bit. The Saints also recently converted $10.155 million of his base salary into a signing bonus, which saved them $8.124 million in cap space and potentially made him a valuable cut or trade candidate.

And then, on Monday, it was announced that the Saints agreed to a multi-year deal with former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr., only 27 years old.

All these moves have been like signs in the weather pointing to the changing of seasons. In fact, many around the NFL have been left to wonder if the longtime Saint may soon become available, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

With the Saints reaching agreement today with RB Travis Etienne, there now are questions around the league about whether RB Alvin Kamara will be moving on from New Orleans and whether the Saints would be willing trade him. Teams are tracking and wondering about it. pic.twitter.com/2U5Q6FFkvZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2026

Alvin Kamara may not have a ton of trade value for New Orleans Saints

Soon-to-be 31 is a tough age for a running back, as most around the NFL certainly will believe that Kamara's best days are behind him.

The Saints may absolutely want to try to trade him, but even cutting him would be valuable for them. Even with the restructure, Kamara is set to count $19.4 million against New Orleans' 2026 cap.

If they cut or trade him, though, the Saints can save roughly $9 million, per Spotrac.

Last season, Kamara rushed 131 times for 471 yards and just one touchdown. It was the worst season of his career, though he put up 950 yards and six touchdowns (with two as a receiver) in 2024.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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