​The New Orleans Saints are weighing the possibility of signing Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency and contemplating whether to pursue a two-back approach with Alvin Kamara. Kamara will be 31 before the 2026 NFL season begins, and he is slated to become a free agent next offseason. With that in mind, might the Saints deploy Etienne as RB1 while use Kamara as trade bait to teams seeking help at running back before or during the campaign?
Jeremy Brener of SI’s Seahawks on SI floated Kamara as one of the three ideal trade targets for the defending Super Bowl champions in a July 11 feature. Brener suggested that trading for Kamara, who could be seeking an exit after New Orleans added Etienne in the offseason, could make sense for Seattle if they were willing to send a future Day 3 pick. In the previous season, Kamara contributed 457 offensive snaps for the Saints, delivering a 51.7 overall PFF grade. He ran 131 times for 471 rushing yards and one touchdown, averaging 3.6 yards per carry and forcing 19 missed tackles on the ground. Through the air, Kamara caught 33 passes on 39 targets for 186 receiving yards.
The Seahawks are presented as a short-term fit for Kamara largely due to the departure of Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Zach Charbonnet is expected to miss the start of the season while recovering from a torn ACL sustained during Seattle’s playoff run to a Super Bowl victory. This creates uncertainty at running back for Seattle, with Brener noting that the team is counting on rookies such as first-round pick Jadarian Price, George Holani, and Emanuel Wilson to bear a heavier load, though none of them currently offer a fully reliable solution.
Irrespective of Kamara’s status with the Saints this coming season, former New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr has expressed optimism about the team’s future, particularly with Tyler Shough taking the helm. Carr praised the young signal-caller during a July 10 appearance on Good Morning Football, emphasizing Shough’s talent and leadership. Carr highlighted Shough’s confidence and the potential benefits of a young coach calling plays for a developing quarterback.
From a performance standpoint, Shough saw extensive action last season, logging 604 total snaps and earning a 74.6 overall PFF grade. He also threw for 2,384 yards, contributing to a more dynamic passing game in New Orleans. As the Saints evaluate their backfield options and quarterback development, the broader outlook remains hopeful for a team seeking to capitalize on a youthful core and a vision for growth in the near term. The goal for New Orleans will be to balance veteran leadership with breakout potential, while aligning talent at running back and quarterback around a cohesive plan for the upcoming season and beyond.