Could a Kamara-to-Houston Move Make Sense for Both Sides-Even If He Doesn’t Want It?
Alvin Kamara has made one thing crystal clear: he wants to finish his career in New Orleans. The Saints’ star running back has built a legacy in the Big Easy, and he’s not shy about saying he’d rather hang up the cleats than wear another team’s jersey. But as the NFL offseason kicks into gear, the hypothetical trade machine never sleeps - and one scenario making the rounds has Kamara heading west to Houston.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about what Kamara wants. It’s about whether a deal could make sense for two franchises with very different timelines - and whether the Saints could make a tough decision that helps them both now and in the future.
The Saints’ Position: A Team in Transition
New Orleans enters the offseason with a clearer picture at quarterback and a solid amount of draft capital. That’s a strong foundation for a team looking to retool, not rebuild.
The Saints aren’t tearing things down, but they’re also not a piece or two away from contending for a Super Bowl. That’s the reality.
Veteran leadership still matters, especially in maintaining locker room culture and mentoring younger players stepping into bigger roles. Kamara, in that sense, is invaluable. But if the Saints decide to lean into the youth movement and maximize their assets, moving Kamara - as painful as it sounds - could be part of the equation.
Why Houston Makes Sense
On the other end of the spectrum, you have the Texans - a young, ascending team with a dynamic quarterback and a roster hungry for playoff success. Houston got one productive year out of Joe Mixon before injuries sidelined him for the entire following season. Now, they’re staring at a potential hole in the backfield.
Enter Kamara.
Even at this stage of his career, Kamara still brings plenty to the table, especially as a pass-catching threat. His ability to run crisp routes, make defenders miss in space, and contribute on third down could give Houston’s offense another dimension. With weapons like Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel already stretching defenses vertically, Kamara could thrive underneath and in the screen game.
He wouldn’t need to carry the full load - just be the versatile chess piece that keeps defenses honest.
The Fit: More Than Just Football
There’s also something to be said for geography and culture. Houston isn’t all that far from New Orleans, and the two cities share more than just Gulf Coast humidity. From food to music to community vibes, there’s a cultural familiarity that might soften the blow of a move - if Kamara were ever willing to consider it.
That’s the big “if,” of course. Kamara has publicly stated he doesn’t want to be traded, and he’s even hinted at retirement if it came to that.
Convincing him to accept a deal, even to a team with legitimate playoff aspirations, wouldn’t be easy. But if there’s one spot that might make sense - both on the field and off - it’s Houston.
One Last Run?
At this point in his career, Kamara doesn’t have much left to prove. He’s already cemented himself as one of the most dynamic backs of his era.
But if the fire to chase a ring still burns, the Texans could offer a compelling opportunity. A backfield role tailored to his strengths, a team on the rise, and a shot at postseason football - it’s not hard to see the appeal.
Still, it all comes down to Kamara. If he’s truly committed to retiring a Saint, this conversation ends before it begins. But if there’s even a sliver of openness to one more run - and if the Saints are willing to make a tough call - don’t rule it out just yet.