Alvin Kamara is a popular trade target, and it’s easy to see why. At his peak, the former third-round pick was one of the most dangerous dual-threat weapons in the NFL and was in the discussion for the best all-around running back in football. However, age has taken a toll on the veteran, as he looked like he lost a step last year while handling starting duties for the Saints.
With Tyler Shough looking like a franchise quarterback down the stretch, New Orleans has the opportunity to win the division in 2026. With this in mind, the team spent big on free agent running back Travis Etienne, and it’s hard to imagine New Orleans keeping another high-priced running back in Kamara on the roster. While he’s still in New Orleans as of this posting, the Saints could trade him if they receive a compelling offer, and Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport believes the Jacksonville Jaguars could make a move for the veteran.
“After winning 13 games and capturing the AFC South in 2025, the Jags are living in the now,” Davenport writes. “The team lost Etienne in free agency, and while Jacksonville signed Chris Rodriguez and has second-year pro Bhayshul Tuten on the roster, Rodriguez has never logged 120 carries in a season, and Tuten averaged just 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie.”
Saints, Jaguars Connected In Alvin Kamara Trade Rumors
As mentioned above, the New Orleans Saints don’t really need Alvin Kamara at this point in time. While the running back handled an absurd workload over the past few seasons, he didn’t look anything close to his former self in 2025. With injuries limiting him to 11 games, the five-time Pro Bowler finished the season with 471 rushing yards and one touchdown on 131 attempts while adding 33 receptions for 186 yards through the air. This production left a lot to be desired, and his 51.7 PFF grade ranked dead last among eligible running backs.
Now entering his age-31 season, Alvin Kamara is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Perhaps he can bounce back with a healthy offseason, but he’ll never return to being the game-changing force he was in the late 2010s and early 2020s. New Orleans would probably welcome the opportunity to offload Kamara’s contract, especially since they can save over $3 million in cap space if they trade him after June 1st. The only question is whether the Jaguars would want him.
Jacksonville’s Backfield
Travis Etienne was Jacksonville’s unquestioned leader in the backfield last year, finishing the season with 1,107 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 260 attempts. However, now that he’s gone, New Orleans doesn’t have a clear starter in the backfield, especially since they traded Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles last year.
Chris Rodriguez is a career backup who has never handled a large workload, and former fourth-round pick Bhayshul Tuten didn’t do much to impress as a rookie. Perhaps one of these two can step up with the increased opportunity, but Jacksonville shouldn’t bank on it. Alvin Kamara may not be the player he once was, and he shouldn’t receive a full 250-touch workload at his current age. However, the Jaguars could probably get him for a late-round pick swap, and he’d immediately bring a much-needed veteran presence to this backfield.
The Jaguars won the AFC South last year, and they should only improve with Trevor Lawrence entering his second season under head coach Liam Coen. Alvin Kamara won’t singlehandedly determine whether or not this team wins a championship, but he could help solidify this backfield.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – Imagn Images
