Chiefs, Chargers named potential trade suitors for 283-yard RB with 2 All-Pro nods

Mike Moraitis

Chiefs, Chargers named potential trade suitors for 283-yard RB with 2 All-Pro nods image

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs have problems at the running back position, but for different reasons.

The Chargers are extremely banged-up at running back. After losing Najee Harris for the season with a torn Achilles, the team is also missing rookie Omarion Hampton, who is out for at least the next four games with a knee injury.

The Chiefs are healthy at running back, but their leading rusher is Patrick Mahomes and Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are averaging 4.2 and 3.8 yards per carry, respectively.

With their issues at the position, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox believes that the Chargers and Chiefs could be potential trade suitors for New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

Knox thinks Kamara could fetch a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick.

There's a chance Kamara would be a cap casualty next offseason anyway. New Orleans is projected to be $18.8 million over the salary cap, and it could save $8.5 million by releasing the 30-year-old with a post-June 1 designation in the spring.

With Kendre Miller taking over a bigger role in the offense—he received more carries than Kamara in Week 5—the Saints have a chance to make a move.

Potential Suitors: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers

As Knox notes, the Saints have been working in Kendre Miller more this season, and that has limited Kamara's workload en route to just 283 rushing yards and 77 receiving yards through five games.

With the Saints going nowhere at 1-4 and Kamara at the age of 30 and only having one more year left on his deal after this season, the time is now for the Saints to trade him before he starts to decline and loses value.

Kamara has been one of the elite pass-catching backs for years now and the two-time All-Pro would be an upgrade for both the Chiefs and Chargers.

The Chiefs' biggest problem in the run game is their offensive line, which ranks 30th in run-block win rate. Unless Kamara can block upfront, Kansas City isn't likely to make a play for him and instead will hope the offensive line rebounds.

Los Angeles is a different story. With guys like Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal in the backfield, Kamara would be a massive upgrade over both and would offer Los Angeles a fantastic one-two punch at running back when Hampton returns, which would help take a ton of pressure off Justin Herbert.

Would the Chiefs say no if given an opportunity to acquire Kamara?

Maybe not, but the Chargers are far more likely to deal for the five-time Pro Bowler given their situation.

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.