The Denver Broncos are staring at a pivotal offseason, one where the front office has both the resources and urgency to make a move that elevates their offense. With the Super Bowl window cracked open, the time to act is now-not later.
Whether it’s a splashy free-agent signing or a savvy trade, Denver needs to add a reliable offensive weapon to keep pace in a loaded AFC. Standing pat simply isn’t an option.
That brings us to the latest rumor making the rounds: a potential trade for veteran running back Alvin Kamara. On the surface, it’s a headline that turns heads.
Kamara is a five-time Pro Bowler with over 12,000 scrimmage yards and 86 touchdowns to his name. He’s also no stranger to Broncos head coach Sean Payton, having spent the bulk of his career thriving in Payton’s offense in New Orleans.
The connection is real, and the familiarity is undeniable.
But here’s the thing: this version of Alvin Kamara isn’t the same player who once terrorized defenses with his burst, vision, and pass-catching prowess. In 2025, Kamara had the least productive season of his career-just 657 total yards and a single touchdown.
That’s a steep drop for a player who had topped 1,100 scrimmage yards every season prior. Add in the fact that he’ll turn 31 during the 2026 campaign and is carrying a cap hit north of $18.5 million, and the red flags start to pile up fast.
From a roster-building perspective, the fit feels off. Denver already invested a second-round pick in RJ Harvey, a dual-threat back who profiles similarly to Kamara in his prime.
Harvey’s presence suggests that Payton may already have his new version of Kamara in-house-one that’s younger, cheaper, and with fresher legs. The Broncos also have to navigate the uncertain future of J.K.
Dobbins, a pending free agent, but that doesn’t mean they should reach for a high-priced veteran with diminishing returns.
To be clear, Kamara’s résumé is impressive. He’s been one of the most dynamic backs of his era, capable of tilting a game with a single play.
But NFL success is always about what you can do now-not what you did then. And right now, Kamara doesn’t bring enough juice to justify the cost or the roster spot in Denver’s current setup.
If this trade had surfaced three years ago, it would’ve been a blockbuster. Today, it feels more like a nostalgia play than a move that pushes Denver closer to a title.
The Broncos need difference-makers, not names. And while Kamara was once exactly that, the version available today doesn’t move the needle for a team with championship aspirations.