Kamara trade speculation links Saints to Packers and Bengals
ESPN analyst Dan Graziano identifies Green Bay and Cincinnati as potential destinations for the Saints’ running back as contract restructuring looms.
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara faces the prospect of a trade or contract restructuring following the team’s decision to sign Travis Etienne in free agency. The move has intensified scrutiny over Kamara’s future with the club, particularly as he enters the final year of his existing deal.
ESPN analyst Dan Graziano has highlighted the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals as potential trade destinations. The speculation stems from a combination of factors, including Kamara’s career lows in touches (164) and scrimmage yards (657) during the 2025 season, and a newly crowded backfield that now includes Etienne, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime, and Ty Chandler.
Kamara, who is set to turn 31 in July, has expressed a desire to remain with the Saints. However, the financial mechanics of his situation complicate matters. His contract has been amended multiple times, making it difficult to assess the exact dead money burden the Saints would incur if they were to trade him.
Graziano notes that while few teams may be willing to offer significant assets for Kamara at this stage of his career, he could still contribute in a limited role. He suggests that teams like Cincinnati or Green Bay might find a way to utilise Kamara’s skillset to bolster their offences, even if his production levels have diminished from his peak years.
The Saints’ roster construction and salary cap constraints mean that keeping Kamara in his current capacity may not be viable. While he remains a quality skill player, the team’s investment in Etienne and the depth of their running back room suggests a shift in strategy. Whether the Saints rework his contract or move him before the deadline remains uncertain.
