The Minnesota Vikings did not secure a replacement for running back Aaron Jones on the opening day of free agency, but a move by an NFC South team has cleared a path to trading for a five-time Pro Bowler who fits their offensive needs.
Travis Etienne Jr., in whom the Vikings had interest, inked a four-year contract worth $52 million to take over the RB1 role with the New Orleans Saints.
“The Saints are signing former Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, per sources,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Monday, March 9. “The Jacksonville Jaguars wanted to retain the Louisiana native. The Broncos and Vikings were also interested.”
Adam Schefter of ESPN followed that news with a report of his own that teams around the NFL are now curious as to the trade availability of Saints running back Alvin Kamara entering his age-31 campaign in 2026.
“With the Saints reaching agreement today with RB Travis Etienne, there now are questions around the league about whether RB Alvin Kamara will be moving on from New Orleans and whether the Saints would be willing [to] trade him,” Schefter posted to X. “Teams are tracking and wondering about it.”
Alvin Kamara Ideal Dual-Threat, Third-Down RB to Complement Vikings’ Jordan Mason
GettyRunning back Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints.
Kamara is playing on a two-year deal worth $24.5 million and is under contract through 2026. He has appeared in 126 games and recorded 95 starts, all with the Saints.
Kamara has tallied 7,250 rushing yards and 61 TDs on the ground with a career average of 4.3 yards per carry, though he has never put up a 1,000-yard rushing campaign in his nine-year career. He is a dual-threat player who has also caught 606 passes for 4,948 receiving yards and 25 scores.
That skill set would fit alongside Jordan Mason as the primary rusher in Minnesota last year, when he put up 758 yards and six scores on 4.8 yards per carry.
Vikings Pitched NFL Draft Trade to Land Notre Dame Running Back Jeremiyah Love
GettyNotre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
If the Vikings can’t get in on a deal for Kamara, or decide that isn’t their path forward, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network pitched a more ambitious trade idea on Monday involving Minnesota moving into the top 10 of next month’s draft for Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Jeremiah’s idea flips the Vikings’ 18th overall pick to the Washington Commanders, along with pick Nos. 82 and 97 in the Round 3 in exchange for Washington’s No. 7 overall selection.
He noted potentially even replacing the two third-rounders with a 2027 second-round pick, or piling them all together, as the Commanders have only six selections in 2026 and only two prior to Round 5.
“I think there’s a way Minnesota could get from 18 to 7 without even parting with next year’s [first-round pick]. They have two [third-rounders] this year, could be a second-round pick next year,” Jeremiah said. “If I told you next year the Minnesota Vikings have Kyler Murray at quarterback, Jeremiyah Love at running back, Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, would you sign up to watch that offense?”
Vikings Emerge as Ideal Trade Partner for $25 Million RB as Free Agency Begins