The New Orleans Saints are publicly continuing with Alvin Kamara on the roster, but the latest NFL trade rumors and comments from general manager Mickey Loomis have quietly intensified speculation surrounding the veteran running back’s future entering the 2026 season.Alvin Kamara remains under contract through 2026 after signing a two-year, $24.5 million extension with New Orleans. However, the Saints recently adjusted his contract structure to create additional cap flexibility, a move that many league observers believe keeps future options open regarding the veteran running back. The Saints also reshaped part of their backfield this offseason after adding Travis Etienne, increasing questions about Kamara’s long-term role as the franchise transitions into a new era around rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
Which teams are interested in Alvin Kamara?
Several contenders would likely enter the conversation if Kamara officially became available before the regular season begins. The Kansas City Chiefs continue to surface in speculation because of their aggressive approach toward maximising Patrick Mahomes’s championship window.Even after adding Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City could still look for another experienced offensive weapon capable of contributing as both a runner and receiver. Kamara’s versatility would naturally fit inside Andy Reid’s offensive system.Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have emerged as another possible landing spot. Dallas did not make a major long-term investment at running back during the draft, and adding Kamara could provide another proven offensive option alongside quarterback Dak Prescott.The Baltimore Ravens have also surfaced in speculation because of Kamara’s fit alongside Derrick Henry inside a run-heavy offense led by Lamar Jackson.
What did Mickey Loomis say about the trade rumors?
Mickey Loomis recently addressed Kamara’s future publicly but avoided guaranteeing the veteran’s roster spot for the upcoming season. “We’re just trying to see how he’s gonna fit on our roster,” Loomis said. “Obviously, there’s a resource management element. We’ll get to that over the next week or two.”Those comments quickly fueled league-wide speculation because the Saints continue managing long-term salary cap pressure while rebuilding portions of the offence. Reports surrounding Alvin Kamara’s reworked contract also noted that the Saints specifically structured the deal to maintain flexibility if circumstances changed later in the offseason.
Contract details and salary cap implications
Alvin Kamara’s contract remains one of the larger veteran running back deals currently on the Saints’ payroll. His two-year, $24.5 million extension included $15.5 million as a signing bonus and more than $19 million guaranteed overall.According to the current contract structure, Kamara is scheduled to carry a 2026 cap hit slightly above $10.4 million while earning $11.5 million in total cash during the season. Earlier this offseason, the Saints converted roughly $10.155 million of Kamara’s salary into a signing bonus, creating more than $8 million in cap savings for 2026. However, moving on from Kamara before the season would still trigger major dead-cap implications due to prorated bonus money tied to future void years in the deal.There is currently no public indication that Kamara has requested a trade, and the Saints have not officially confirmed that they are shopping the veteran running back. Still, with speculation quietly continuing around the league, the situation remains one worth monitoring as the offseason progresses.
How a potential trade could impact both teams
Moving Kamara would represent another major shift for a Saints offense already entering a transitional period. Even at 30 years old, Kamara remains one of the NFL’s most versatile offensive players because of his dual-threat ability as both a runner and receiver. For New Orleans, trading Kamara would create additional financial flexibility while allowing younger players to potentially take over larger offensive responsibilities moving forward.For a contender acquiring Kamara, the impact could be immediate. Teams like Kansas City, Dallas, or Baltimore would instantly add playoff-tested experience along with another reliable offensive weapon capable of changing games in crucial moments.At this point, the Saints are still expected to keep Kamara as training camp approaches. But with Loomis publicly acknowledging ongoing roster evaluations and the Saints continuing to manage cap flexibility creatively, his future remains one of the more closely watched situations entering the summer.
FAQs
Is Alvin Kamara getting traded?There is currently no official indication that the New Orleans Saints are actively shopping Kamara. However, recent contract adjustments and comments from Mickey Loomis have increased speculation surrounding a possible trade or roster move later this offseason.Which team is most likely to acquire Alvin Kamara?The Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys continue to emerge most frequently in league speculation because both teams could benefit from adding another experienced offensive weapon.Why do the Saints want to move on from Alvin Kamara?The Saints are continuing to reshape their offence while managing long-term salary cap flexibility. The addition of Travis Etienne and recent contract restructures have increased questions surrounding Kamara’s long-term fit within the organisation.When is the NFL trade deadline?The NFL trade deadline for the 2026 season is expected to take place around early November, during the middle of the regular season. The official date will be confirmed by the league later this year.What is Alvin Kamara’s current contract?Kamara is signed through the 2026 season on a two-year, $24.5 million extension with the Saints. His contract includes more than $19 million guaranteed, and his adjusted 2026 cap hit currently sits at roughly $10.5 million.
