Roughly seven months ago, longtime New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara openly said he'd "go drink a piña colada somewhere" if the club traded him. Those comments might be put to the test before long, though prospective suitors, namely the Washington Commanders, shouldn't take the bait.
For the first time in Kamara's career, he looks like an afterthought in the Big Easy. New Orleans' general manager, Mickey Loomis, cast doubt over his future when addressing the media at the Saints' 2026 Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Classic.
A Commanders squad facing pressure to win with a deep, albeit unexceptional, group of backfield options may consider acquiring a veteran of Kamara's ilk beneficial. However, adding him if given the chance could do more harm than good. That's why Loomis seems to be struggling to find a place for the franchise cornerstone.
"We're just trying to see how [Kamara's] going to fit in our roster, and obviously, there's a resource management element to it, and we'll get to that over the next week or two," Loomis told reporters.
Alvin Kamara’s Saints uncertainty shouldn’t fool the Commanders
Kamara, who turns 31 in July, is a declining, aging player with significant wear and tear on his body. He has durability and effectiveness concerns at this stage of what's been a productive nine-year run (and counting) with the Saints. Not to mention, the five-time Pro Bowler holds a $10.4 million cap number; why would the Commanders take on a high-priced, medium-reward risk?
84 tailbacks recorded at least 2025 carries in 2025, including the playoffs, and Kamara was one of them. Here's where he ranked among the bunch in the following categories, courtesy of Pro Football Focus ($):
- 75th in Pro Football Focus' rushing grade (61.0)
- Tied for 69th in yards after contact per attempt (2.56)
- Tied for 67th in yards per attempt (3.6)
- Tied for the third-most fumbles (three)
- 64th in breakaway percentage (14.0)
- 57th in yards per route run (0.80)
Virtually every metric will tell you that Kamara is a shell of the high-end dual-threat weapon he once was. His fall from grace hasn't been pretty either, which the numbers bear out. Even if the Commanders want to bring in another back, there are other guys worth taking a flier on and will likely come cheaper, too.
The Saints signed Travis Etienne to a four-year, $48 million contract in March for a reason, and Washington ought to take note. His arrival immediately raised questions about Kamara's future, yet it appears we're finally on the verge of getting some answers.
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