Per Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times, Saints GM Loomis is very non-committal on Alvin Kamara. “We’re just trying to see how he’s gonna fit on our roster. Obviously there’s a resource management element. We’ll get to that over the next week or two.”

This is a classic example of a team trying to make a legend “pass the torch” to a younger, stylistically similar running back. Both are dual-threat backs, with huge elusiveness, and patient-yet-explosive skill sets. Now, they have both, and they are not exactly clear on how to deal with it.

Kamara should be used by Kellen Moore

If there’s someone who can find a way to use two very good running backs, it’s an offensive, creative play-caller like Kellen Moore. The head coach debuted last season and the Saints actually had a great finish to the season.

Moore’s offenses use quite a lot of running game and play-action. Hence, the running backs are key. Moore uses this to open up the field for wideouts and give chance to the quarterback to play more peacefully. Also, Tyler Shough is not precisely the biggest arm in the NFL, he needs help to look good.

Kamara and Etienne could be a highly effective committee

Being able to intertwine Kamara and Etienne could allow the Saints to maintain arguably the same level of play while keeping the stamina of the running game. This could also allow the Saints to run the ball without hesitation.

Running the ball opens up the game for the offense, but it also makes the team in charge to control the tempo of the game. The fact is, the team might want to see where Kamara fits in, but there are huge opportunities to actually fit him in the scheme.

Moore said Tyson had a rest day as the team is “putting together a plan for him.” Hence, it’s not like he has a new injury. After all, that was the biggest issue of Tyson coming into the NFL Draft.

Tyson has a history of hamstring, collarbone, and knee injuries. However, it not only seems like he is not injured, but the team is also planning for Tyson to be healthy and fit for the season.

Tyson must make an immediate impact for Saints

No one questions Tyson’s skill. He is undoubtedly one of the best wideouts in the draft class. He is a very complete receiver. So, if healthy, he will be tasked with delivering the results. After all, the Saints trust him to help quarterback Tyler Shough reach new heights.

Tyson will make a great WR duo with Chris Olave. However, Olave is also an injury prone wideout. Hence, the Saints WR corp is a boom-or-bust unit. If healthy, they are capable of absolutely burning defenses. However, being healthy is the issue.

The Saints project an upside in wins this season

Last year, the Saints won six games and actually ended the season red-hot. However, it was too late for a playoff push. Having said that, and given that they are in the NFC South, a division won by the 8-9 Panthers, the Saints should see their roster as one fit to win the division.

Hence, given that they have a good playcaller in Kellen Moore, two studs at WR in Olave and Tyson, two good running backs in Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara, and a QB who ended hot last season, it wouldn’t be crazy for them to think they can challenge the NFC South.

In recent years, Alvin Kamara has been the most reliable player for the Saints. Nevertheless, the club signed Travis Etienne Jr. to its offense, a move that Kamara views favorably.

“I think a lot of people be thinking there’s a beef or something when moves like this happen,” Kamara said. “It’s like, shoot, I couldn’t be happier. One, my boy got paid, and two, ain’t nothing but some help in the backfield. That’s the name of the game. One person can’t do it by themselves. I’m cool with it. Whichever direction that we can take it, I’m with it. I haven’t had too much a chance to talk to him, but definitely excited that he’s got a fleur-de-lis on his helmet, and he got paid.”

Alvin Kamara vs. Travis Etienne Jr. in numbers

Alvin Kamara is a five-time Pro Bowler and a living legend for the Saints. However, the club knows his future is uncertain, which is why the arrival of Travis Etienne Jr. makes sense.

Kamara, 30, has been a dual-threat player his entire career. His production has come through a combination of his ground and air attack, amassing 12,198 scrimmage yards and 86 total touchdowns in his career.

On the other hand, Travis Etienne Jr. joined the club on a four-year, $52 million deal. He has been highly productive as a runner, tallying 3,798 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns across his four seasons in the league.

Alvin Kamara vs. Travis Etienne Jr.: Who will be the starting RB?

While Alvin Kamara has been a cornerstone for the Saints, he is expected to serve as a high-volume “RB1B” or secondary option in 2026. This isn’t because he has lost his touch, but because Etienne Jr. currently offers more explosiveness as a primary ball carrier.

However, both are expected to share touches, with Kamara utilized more as a receiving and dual-threat asset. If the Saints use them properly, the offense can shine with both on the field.

The release was reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The Saints took Jordyn Tyson in the first round of the NFL Draft, but they also took Bryce Lance at No. 136 overall, and Barion Brown at No. 190 overall.

Samori Toure joined the Saints’ practice squad in November 2025, and even played in the season-finale. He remained with the Saints on a futures deal until now. Toure has played in 23 games with two starts, recording 14 catches for 163 yards and one touchdown.

Saints updated WR depth chart

Chris Olave will once again resume as the team’s WR1, with Jordyn Tyson as a premium WR2. On the slot, Devaughn Vele will line up. Newly-drafted rookies Bryce Lance and Barion Brown will have to earn their stripes.

The Saints also have Mason Tipton, Ja’Lynn Polk, Kevin Austin Jr., Bub Means, Trey Palmer, Damien Alford, and Ronnie Bell. It’s a deep room, but the need for quality was there, and Tyson should be able to revamp the production massively for this team.

The Saints gave all the tools for Tyler Shough to shine

Tyler Shough had little expectations, but he ended up having a 5-4 record last season, finishing the 2025 season strongly. He completed 67.6% of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

Now, the Saints have given him two premier wideouts in Olave and Tyson, a premium backfield duo of Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara, and two decent tight ends in Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant. They are setting him for success.

“I think that it could impact it,” Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said, via Jeff Nowak of WWL. “You know, we’ll see what happens, and that goes both ways, it could impact them, from their perspective as well as ours.”

Likewise, Loomis will wait until the end of the draft to resolve the situation of these two players. “Those are two-way questions, right. They have things that they have to determine and we do, too, so we’ll see what happens after the draft.”

Alvin Kamara’s current situation

Alvin Kamara remains on the New Orleans Saints’ roster for the 2026 season following a strategic contract restructure in March that lowered his cap hit to approximately $10.5 million. While the arrival of Travis Etienne has fueled speculation about Kamara’s long-term future, head coach Kellen Moore has publicly supported a tandem backfield approach.

Is his future in New Orleans guaranteed? No. However, many believe the coach could manage to pair Kamara and Etienne to create one of the most explosive backfields in the NFC.

Jordan doesn’t rule out a return to the Saints

Cameron Jordan remains one of the most high-profile free agents on the market after his contract with the New Orleans Saints officially voided in March. Despite being 36 years old, the veteran defensive end proved he is still a force to be reckoned with after recording 10.5 sacks last season.

While Jordan has publicly expressed his desire to retire as a Saint, he has also emphasized that “the cents have to make sense,” indicating that he is looking for a contract that reflects his production and role rather than just a sentimental veteran minimum.

What decision will the Saints make?

Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Saints must prioritize defensive reinforcements and offensive playmakers to support second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. With the 8th overall pick, the team is heavily linked to elite pass rushers like Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey, or standout defensive backs like Caleb Downs and Mansoor Delane to shore up the secondary.

Moving into the second round at No. 42, the front office should target defensive line depth or a versatile linebacker such as Jacob Rodriguez. Finally, at No. 73 in the third round, adding a dynamic wide receiver like Elijah Sarratt or a physical offensive lineman would provide the necessary depth to balance Kellen Moore’s offensive scheme and ensure the team remains competitive in the NFC South.

According to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated, the team is perfectly fine with letting their running back room as it is. This means Bhayshul Tuten will replace Travis Etienne as the starter, while newly-signed Chris Rodriguez will serve as the backup.

Etienne himself is going to see his snaps shared with Alvin Kamara in New Orleans. Still, it’s somewhat surprising to see the Jaguars content with what they have right now, given how important was Etienne for them last season.

Tuten is poised for a breakout season

Tuten had 83 attempts for 307 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season. The fact is that was enough for head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone to convince them to give Tuten the spotlight.

To be fair to Tuten, he is a strong, powerful runner who is very hard to bring down. However, he is not as elusive or as swift as Etienne is. This is a golden opportunity for him to prove his worth.

The Jaguars are not done

Jacksonville has signed just one free agent this season, but he was notoriously busy after the draft last year. According to Shipley, this year could be the same as he reported that the Jaguars will be “swinging this offseason.”

“It just makes it better for both of us,” Etienne said during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show. “Every time we’re out there, we want to feel fresh. It keeps the defense on their toes. They’ve gotta worry about two guys instead of one. I feel like it’s only gonna make the team better.”

The NFC South used to be one of the most balanced divisions last season. The Saints, with this duo of running backs, aim to break the mold and steamroll everyone heading into the upcoming season.

Will Kamara remain a Saint?

Alvin Kamara’s status with the New Orleans Saints is currently on high alert as the team evaluates his future for the 2026 season. Despite a recent contract restructure that lowered his cap hit to approximately $10.5 million, the front office is reportedly considering further adjustments, including a potential pay cut or even a roster cut.

A lethal backfield in New Orleans

In the 2025 season, Travis Etienne Jr. established himself as a workhorse, rushing for 1,107 yards and 7 touchdowns on 260 carries, while adding 292 receiving yards and 6 scores through the air. In contrast, Alvin Kamara saw a more limited role in 11 games, finishing the year with 471 rushing yards, 186 receiving yards, and one total touchdown on the ground.

More ground options for Moore

The Saints’ running back room is full of talent. In addition to the aforementioned Etienne and Kamara, the depth chart is complemented by the following players:

• Kendre Miller
• Devin Neal
• Ty Chandler
• Audric Estime
• Evan Hull

“He’s certainly on the roster and part of the running back room,” the head coach said to reporters from the league meeting in Arizona. “We feel like there’s ways to manipulate all of those guys and put them in plenty of situations.

“Plenty of running backs play. Obviously we feel fortunate that we were able to acquire Travis in free agency, but there’s still a lot of work there to be had out there.”

What is Kamara’s current situation in NOLA?

Financially, the Saints recently restructured Kamara’s contract using the “50 percent rule,” a move that cleared over $8 million in cap space for 2026 without adding future guaranteed debt. This flexibility allows the front office to keep the franchise icon for the upcoming season or move on after June 1 with minimal dead money—a decision that remains a “full offseason process” as the team balances veteran leadership with younger talent.

Teams eyeing the Saints’ gem

The Denver Broncos are widely considered the favorites due to Kamara‘s history with Sean Payton, while the Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars (who just lost Etienne) have been identified as suitors in need of a versatile, veteran pass-catcher. Other dark-horse candidates include the Baltimore Ravens, who could pair him with Derrick Henry, and the Seattle Seahawks, who are seeking backfield depth following Zach Charbonnet’s injury and Kenneth Walker’s departure.

New Orleans’ intriguing backfield

Kellen Moore will have the privilege of fielding a highly dangerous ground game to support Tyler Shough. Behind the aforementioned Kamara and Etienne, these are the RBs who will represent the Gold and Black in 2026.

• Kendre Miller
• Devin Neal
• Ty Chandler
• Audric Estime
• Evan Hull

Speaking to the press, Etienne said, “Tyler, he’s a great person, talking with him and being with him last night, you can sense the hunger, you can sense that he wants it for the city as well.” Now, the Super Bowl is everybody’s dream, though the Saints have still ways to go before that.

Etienne said that watching Shough improve down the stretch was a key factor to sign with his hometown team. He said it “definitely was a factor.” However, going back to his hometown was the primary motivation.

Shough was the rookie with most wins at the QB position

Shough had more wins than Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel. However, while he impressed more than anyone thought, there are still some doubts around what he can produce long term.

Shough had a 5-4 record, completing 67.6% of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He became very effective under the Kellen Moore scheme. Now, he must avoid the feared sophomore slump.

The NFC South is there for the taking

The NFC South was won by the Panthers last year with an 8-9 record. The Buccaneers also finished 8-9 and their head coach is on the hot seat. Hence, if the Saints keep improving, they might be able to return to the NFL Playoffs.

While Kellen Moore didn’t speak on Alvin Kamara’s future, the message for the new faces coming in is clear now. According to Moore,“I think if there’s a theme, a bunch of high-character guys, guys that we love in this locker room, that are going to be great teammates, great people in this community, and obviously we certainly recognize the ability for them to perform on the field. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

And the Saints really need those kinds of guys. After a dreadful start to the 2025 NFL season, they started to show character and glimpses of a good future down the stretch. Hence, bringing more productive, high-character guys could boost this team to new heights.

Etienne is coming off a career-resurgence year

After having two 1,000-yard seasons, Etienne‘s third year in the NFL was very worrisome. He basically cut his production in half and had only two touchdowns. It was not a great look. However, with the arrival of Liam Coen as the Jaguars head coach, Etienne was once again a deadly threat.

He resurfaced as a top-tier back with 1,399 scrimmage yards and a career-high 13 total touchdowns. Now, the Saints get a young, dual-threat back to keep the production going. After Alvin Kamara, having Etienne means the playbook basically remains the same.

Etienne might be the best thing to happen to Tyler Shough

Tyler Shough overcame expectations last year. No one had really much to hope for with Shough. However, he started nine games and had a 5-4 record, completing 67.6% of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Still, Shough needs help. He doesn’t have the best arm and he wants to take care of the ball. Hence, having a weapon that can catch passes from the backfield is just a gift from heaven. Also, Kellen Moore is a highly effective playcaller, so he can easily draw some productive plays for the two.

“Uhhh, I’m not going to get into all of that stuff. I haven’t had those conversations, anyways,” Kellen Moore admitted during a press conference when asked about Alvin Kamara possibly eyeing retirement, via @UnderdogNFL on X.

Kamara is signed to a contract through the 2026 NFL season. If the running back and organization both want to make it happen, Kamara can stay with the Saints for another year, though sharing the backfield with Etienne.

However, the latest half-back addition may signal New Orleans is steering in a different direction. Moore’s offense may not be big enough to accommodate both stars. Perhaps, there’s a new sheriff in “The Big Easy”.

Etienne’s signing could spell trouble for Kamara

Signing Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract allowed the Saints to breathe a sigh of relief. However—unless Kamara made it known he’s considered stepping away from the NFL—it also puts Kamara on notice.

Etienne may not be as threatening as Kamara is on a receiving back role, but he can still make magic happen. Moreover, Etienne is younger, faster, and—most importantly—less injury-prone than Kamara. So far in his four-season career, Etienne has only missed two games.

As for Kamara, injuries have caused him to miss 23 regular season games. Kamara only managed to stay healthy through his rookie season (2017). Since, he’s missed at least one game every year. It’s not like “AK41” has dealt with a recurring issue, either. Instead, he has come down with several, different injuries, such as concussions, knee and ankle sprains, and rib fractures, per Sportskeeda.