If there’s one thing that’s been consistently missing from the New Orleans Saints’ offense in recent years, it’s explosive production from the running back position. The big plays just haven’t been there. Instead, the Saints have leaned on gadget guys like Taysom Hill and Rashid Shaheed to generate chunk yardage, which says a lot about how limited the backfield has become.
That could be changing soon.
Alvin Kamara is heading into the final year of his contract, and while he’s been a cornerstone of this offense for years, his cap hit-over $18.5 million-is a tough pill to swallow for a team that needs to retool. The Saints have some flexibility down the road, especially in 2027 and 2028, and that gives them the opportunity to make a splash in free agency this spring. Running back should be near the top of their priority list.
One name to keep an eye on? Breece Hall.
The Jets running back is coming off a strong 2025 campaign, and there’s growing buzz around the idea that he’d be a perfect fit in New Orleans. According to Pro Football Focus, Hall posted an impressive 83.5 overall grade last season and racked up 26 explosive runs. That’s the kind of juice the Saints have been sorely lacking.
Let’s put that in context. The Saints finished second-to-last in PFF’s team rushing grade this season (31st, at 68.8), and they averaged just 3.4 yards per attempt on designed runs-again, 31st in the league.
Even more alarming? Only 6.5% of their runs went for 10 or more yards, the lowest rate in the NFL.
That’s a backfield starving for big-play ability.
Hall, meanwhile, thrives in the exact system New Orleans is building under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. The Saints led the NFL in inside zone usage this season at 35%, just ahead of the Jets.
Hall was one of the league’s best backs in that scheme, earning the third-highest PFF rushing grade (83.6) on inside zone runs. That’s not just a good fit-that’s a tailor-made pairing.
Of course, there are other paths the Saints could take. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love has been a popular name in mock drafts, and if he’s available when New Orleans picks at No. 8, he’d be an intriguing rookie option.
But that’s a big “if.” Banking on one player falling to you in the draft is always risky, especially at a position where impact talent can be found in free agency.
That’s why Hall makes so much sense. He’s a proven playmaker who could immediately elevate this offense and take pressure off second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. With a more dynamic run game, Shough wouldn’t have to carry as much of the load, and Moore would be able to open up the playbook in ways we haven’t seen in New Orleans for a while.
But before any of that can happen, the Saints have to make a decision on Kamara. His contract is the first domino.
Whether it’s a restructure, a pay cut, or a parting of ways, something has to give. Once that cap number is addressed, the Saints can start reshaping the backfield-and potentially bring in a difference-maker like Breece Hall.
Bottom line: If the Saints want to get serious about fixing their run game, the time is now. And Hall could be the spark they’ve been missing.