Sure, the Dallas Cowboys just signed a running back for a relatively high number on a 3-year, $24 million contract for Javonte Williams. That doesn’t mean they couldn’t trade for another high-profile running back.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox listed the Cowboys as a potential suitor in a post-June 1 trade for New Orleans Saints running back and 2-time NFL All-Pro Alvin Kamara.
“While Kamara is on the roster now, that could change after June 1,” Knox wrote. “After that date, the Saints would save $456,741 in cap space by trading him. Moving him before June 1 would cost $7.6 million in additional 2026 cap space. While New Orleans is unlikely to get a massive return for an aging back, Kamara’s dual-threat ability should warrant some interest from running back-needy teams. The Saints will be more likely to accept a bargain offer once the cap hit of moving Kamara becomes more manageable.”
Kamara has been one of the NFL’s most exciting running backs for the last decade — and paid like it. He’s played his entire career with the Saints and signed a 5-year, $75 million contract extension in 2020, followed by a 2-year, $24.5 million contract extension in 2024.
Kamara More Likely to Reunite With Old Coach
While getting Kamara on a reworked contract would certainly grab headlines, it doesn’t seem like they need him right now. How much any team is willing to give up for him is where more of the debate lies — it would be difficult to see any team giving up more than a 5th-round pick for Kamara at this point.
The more likely scenario for Kamara has always seemed like reuniting with his former head coach in New Orleans by joining Sean Payton on the Denver Broncos.
“No NFL head coach knows Kamara more than Denver Broncos lead skipper Sean Payton,” Bleacher Report’s Mo Moton wrote in March. “They worked together for five years in New Orleans. Perhaps the two would be open to a reunion in the Mile High City. The Broncos selected RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 draft. They re-signed J.K. Dobbins on a two-year, $20 million pact after he led them in rushing last season. This would be a surprising move because Kamara would join a crowded backfield in Denver, and his skill set overlaps with Harvey’s, but he may trust that Payton will find ways to get him the ball.”
Things got even more crowded in Denver’s backfield following the 2026 NFL draft, when they selected Washington running back Jonah Coleman in the 3rd round.
Javonte Williams Delivered Big on Prove-It Contract
Williams spent the 1st 4 seasons of his career with the Broncos before landing with the Cowboys on a 1-year, $3 million prove-it contract in 2025.
In that 1 season, Williams delivered far more than anyone could have guessed, rushing for career highs of 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns.
One thing the Cowboys don’t have at running back is depth, which is where Kamara might be such a bonus.
Behind Williams, there’s an unworthy trio of Malik Davis and a pair of 2025 draft picks in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah — both of whom showed they weren’t ready to play in the NFL last year.
Cowboys Named Potential Suitor in Trade for $75 Million RB