The running back carousel could be spinning fast in 2026, with the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs all potentially in the market for a new lead back. Whether it’s due to expiring contracts, injuries, or underperformance, each of these teams has questions to answer in the backfield-and one name that could shake things up is Alvin Kamara.
Let’s start in Dallas. The Cowboys are expected to try to bring back Javonte Williams, who gave them some much-needed juice in the run game.
But with free agency looming, nothing is guaranteed. Williams is one of the top backs available this offseason, and as we’ve seen time and again, free agency has a way of throwing even the best-laid plans into chaos.
If Williams walks, the Cowboys will have to pivot quickly.
In Denver, the Broncos had a solid tandem in 2025 with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey.
But Dobbins, once again, couldn’t stay on the field. Injuries have defined much of his career, and with his contract up, the Broncos may decide it’s time to move on.
Harvey showed flashes, but Denver could be looking for a more reliable bell cow to pair with or even replace him.
Then there’s Kansas City. The Chiefs are heading into the offseason with both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt set to hit the open market.
Neither back made a strong case for a return in 2025, and with the Chiefs’ offense showing signs of stagnation in the run game, a full reset at the position wouldn’t be surprising. Kansas City has never been shy about retooling around Patrick Mahomes, and a dynamic backfield addition could be part of that plan.
Which brings us to Alvin Kamara.
The longtime Saints star is entering the final year of a contract that carries an $18.6 million cap hit-an awfully steep price for a player coming off the least productive season of his career. Kamara posted career lows across the board in 2025: just 471 rushing yards, 186 receiving yards, one total touchdown, and only 4.0 yards per touch.
For a player once known for his explosiveness and ability to make defenders miss, the decline was stark. His explosive run rate dropped to 7.6%, and his missed tackle rate fell to 20.6%, per Next Gen Stats-both career lows.
The Saints haven’t exactly found a successor either. Young backs like Audric Estimé, Kendre Miller, and Devin Neal haven’t stepped into that lead role convincingly. But with Kamara turning 31 this summer and struggling to stay healthy, New Orleans may be ready to move on.
Financially, it’s a tough call. Releasing Kamara before June 1 would only free up $360,000 in cap space while leaving behind a massive $18.2 million in dead money.
But if the Saints wait and designate him as a post-June 1 cut, they could save $8.5 million-though they’d still eat $10 million in dead cap. It’s not ideal, but it’s a path that makes more sense given the team’s current cap situation.
One big wrinkle? Kamara may not want to play anywhere else.
He made it clear before last year’s trade deadline that he wasn’t interested in being moved and even floated the idea of retirement if he were traded. That sentiment could carry over into this offseason.
If the Saints do cut him loose, there’s no guarantee he’ll suit up again.
Still, if Kamara does decide to give it one more go, there will be interest. His connection with Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who helped unlock Kamara’s full potential during their time together in New Orleans, could make Denver a natural fit. The Cowboys and Chiefs, both in need of a veteran presence and some backfield versatility, could also come calling.
Kamara may not be the same player he once was, but in the right situation, with the right role, he could still have something left in the tank. The question is whether he wants to find out-and whether one of these teams is willing to bet on a bounce-back from one of the most dynamic backs of the last decade.