It has been a rough start to the season for Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals running backs, but for different reasons.
The Cardinals have been riddled with injuries at the position. Veteran James Conner is out for the year with an ankle injury and second-year back Trey Benson was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday with a knee issue.
Kansas City doesn't have injuries at running back, but Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are averaging just 4.0 and 3.2 yards per carry, respectively.
One running back who could theoretically hit the trade block and be of interest to the Chiefs and Cardinals this year is the New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara, who was named a candidate to be dealt by Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox.
While moving one of their top playmakers would hurt the Saints in the short term, there's a chance he'd be a cap casualty in the offseason anyway. New Orleans is projected to be $18.8 million over the salary cap, and it could save $8.5 million by releasing Kamara with a post-June 1 designation in the spring.
Moving Kamara would also give the Saints a closer look at third-year back Kendre Miller, who seems to be finding his way under head coach Kellen Moore.
Kamara should interest any team in need of a capable dual-threat back.
Potential Suitors: Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs
While it would be tough trading a long-time franchise superstar like Kamara, who has been very loyal despite the mess around him, it's a move the Saints need to make, if for no other reason than to help get their financial house in order.
New Orleans is currently projected to be $15.1 million over the cap in 2026 and unloading Kamara's contract, which runs through 2026, would put the Saints in better financial standing.
Kamara, who has been an elite dual-threat back for years now, is also going to be 31 next year and New Orleans needs to deal him before he starts to decline and loses all value.
Adding Kamara would give the Cardinals an instant upgrade over the players they have now, which include Emari Demercado, Michael Carter and Bam Knight. He could also serve as a 2026 replacement for Conner, who may end up being a cap casualty next year.
But the Chiefs are the team we really want to see Kamara go to and would likely be the preferred choice of the veteran running back if the Saints allow him to pick his next destination.
Kamara is a better runner than Pacheco, and a better pass-catcher than Hunt. Having him playing both roles consistently would also help the Chiefs be less predictable on offense since Pacheco doesn't usually get passing-down work.
Kamara could also be lined up as a wide receiver on some plays, which would allow Kansas City to still deploy its other backs.
Knox projects Kamara will fetch a conditional fourth-round pick, and with Kansas City's eyes set on another Super Bowl, we wouldn't mind the team giving that up to land someone who could be a big difference-maker on offense.