Why the Broncos Should Consider Trading for Saints’ Alvin Kamara

If the Denver Broncos want to bolster their backfield, then New Orleans Saints veteran running back Alvin Kamara could be an intriguing trade target.

While the Broncos recently re-signed J.K. Dobbins to a two-year, $20 million deal, Denver could still benefit from adding another proven playmaker at the running back position. The Broncos learned the hard way in 2025 just how important quality depth at running back can be.

Kamara was the subject of trade rumors during the 2025 season, but the dual-threat playmaker indicated he would rather retire than suit up for another team. That stance prompted the Saints to hold onto him at the time. However, the situation in New Orleans has changed.

This offseason, the Saints signed former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $52 million contract, raising questions about Kamara’s long-term role in their offense. With Etienne expected to play a significant role in the backfield moving forward, Kamara’s future in New Orleans suddenly appears far less certain.

Set to turn 31 years old before the start of the 2026 season, Kamara is no longer the every-down centerpiece he once was. Injuries have also become more of a concern. He missed the final six games of the 2025 campaign due to a sprained MCL and ankle injuries, and his production dipped to a career-low 657 yards from scrimmage.

Even so, Kamara remains one of the most versatile offensive weapons of his generation.

Prior to the streak ending in 2025, Kamara recorded at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his first eight seasons in the NFL. Over the course of his career, he has accumulated more than 7,200 rushing yards and over 12,000 total yards from scrimmage, while scoring 86 total touchdowns – 61 on the ground and 25 through the air.

At his best, Kamara has been nearly impossible for defenses to contain.

The most memorable performance of his career came during the 2020 season when he rushed for 155 yards and six touchdowns in a dominant 52-33 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. That performance helped the Saints clinch their latest NFC South title.

More recently, Kamara demonstrated he still has plenty left in the tank during the 2024 campaign. He led the Saints with 1,493 yards from scrimmage that season, highlighted by a spectacular Week 2 performance against the Dallas Cowboys in which he totaled 180 yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns in a 44-19 victory.

If Kamara were open to a change of scenery, Denver would make plenty of sense as a landing spot.

The Broncos’ backfield currently features Dobbins and second-year running back RJ Harvey. While Dobbins has proven he can be highly productive when healthy, his extensive injury history makes relying on him as the lone centerpiece of the rushing attack a risky proposition.

That’s where Kamara could provide tremendous value.

Even at this stage of his career, Kamara remains an elite dual-threat running back capable of contributing both on the ground and through the air. His ability to create mismatches in the passing game and operate effectively in the red zone would give Denver another dynamic weapon in its offense.

Just as importantly, Kamara is very familiar with current Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

Kamara spent the most productive stretch of his career playing under Payton in New Orleans. From 2017 through 2021, Kamara earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections while averaging 1,500 yards from scrimmage per season in Payton’s offense.

That shared history with Payton could make Kamara a natural fit in Denver.

At this stage of his career, Kamara may be best suited for a complementary role rather than carrying a full RB1 workload. But in a committee alongside Dobbins, he could still be a dangerous offensive weapon.

For the Broncos, acquiring Kamara would provide a valuable insurance policy if Dobbins were to miss time again while simultaneously adding another proven playmaker to support star quarterback Bo Nix.

If Kamara is willing to reconsider his stance on playing for another team, Denver would be wise to at least pick up the phone and see what it might take to bring the veteran running back to the Mile High City.