The New Orleans Saints made waves in free agency by signing Travis Etienne Jr., a move that has set the NFL rumor mill abuzz. After a strong comeback season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Etienne has secured a fresh start in New Orleans. But with this addition comes a pressing question: what does this mean for Alvin Kamara?
Kamara, a staple of the Saints' offense since being drafted in 2017, remains under contract. However, the arrival of another top-tier running back raises eyebrows about Kamara's future in the Big Easy. According to Adam Schefter, Kamara could soon be on the trade block, sparking interest from teams around the league.
“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 to trade him,” Schefter reported on X. “Teams are tracking and wondering about it.”
The NFL has seen success with dual running back systems recently. The Detroit Lions thrived with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, while the Seattle Seahawks, last season's champions, effectively split duties between Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. The Saints could potentially adopt a similar strategy with Kamara and Etienne sharing the load.
However, Kamara's recent performance has been a concern. Injuries have taken a toll, impacting his speed and agility.
Last season, he played in just eleven games, amassing 471 yards and one touchdown-his lowest output to date. Despite these struggles, Kamara has expressed a desire to remain with the Saints for his entire career, leaving retirement as another option on the table.
From the Saints' perspective, trading Kamara might be the most strategic move. Despite a down year in 2025, Kamara is just one season removed from a 950-yard performance in 2024 over 14 games. Teams could still find value in the former Offensive Rookie of the Year, making a trade a viable path forward.