Saints Weigh Options for Alvin Kamara's Future: Trade or Pay Cut

New Orleans must balance salary cap pressures and Kamara's uncertain future after signing Travis Etienne Jr.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:34am

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The New Orleans Saints are facing a difficult decision regarding the future of star running back Alvin Kamara. With Kamara's massive salary cap hit and the team's recent signing of Travis Etienne Jr., the Saints must weigh options like trading Kamara or asking him to take a significant pay cut to remain with the team.

Why it matters

Kamara has been a key part of the Saints' offense for years, but his high salary makes him a potential cap casualty. The Saints must balance their desire to keep Kamara with the need to build a competitive roster within their salary cap constraints.

The details

The Saints are carefully evaluating multiple paths forward with Kamara, including potentially trading him to a team willing to absorb his contract or asking him to restructure his deal and take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans. Finding a suitable trade partner may be challenging, as few teams may want to take on Kamara's significant financial commitments. However, the Saints have seen other teams make major moves for star running backs in the past, such as the Seahawks' trade for Marshawn Lynch or the 49ers' acquisition of Christian McCaffrey.

  • The Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency, raising questions about Kamara's future with the team.

The players

Alvin Kamara

A star running back who has played his entire career with the New Orleans Saints.

Travis Etienne Jr.

A running back signed by the Saints in free agency, potentially creating a crowded backfield with Kamara.

New Orleans Saints

The NFL team that currently employs Alvin Kamara and has signed Travis Etienne Jr.

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What they’re saying

“Finding a suitable trade partner in the NFL requires another team willing to absorb significant financial commitments...which few teams may want to take on that monetary risk right now.”

— Greg Atoms, Author

What’s next

The Saints will need to decide whether to trade Alvin Kamara, ask him to take a pay cut, or release him in the coming weeks as they work to finalize their roster and salary cap situation for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The Saints face a difficult decision with Alvin Kamara, as they must balance their desire to keep the star running back with the need to manage their salary cap and build a competitive roster. The team's options include trading Kamara, asking him to take a pay cut, or potentially releasing him, with each path presenting its own challenges and considerations.