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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 28: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints talks with head coach Sean Payton against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos have emerged as a surprise name in offseason trade chatter involving New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

As Sports Illustrated noted, the idea was floated by Bleacher Report, tying Kamara to Denver as a possible cap-driven move for the Saints.

While Kamara has previously expressed a strong desire to remain in New Orleans, the financial realities facing the Saints have reopened conversations about his future. 

The common thread is Sean Payton, who coached Kamara for six seasons and helped unlock one of the most versatile running back careers of the past decade. 

That familiarity is why Denver keeps surfacing as a top theoretical landing spot. 

Why the Sean Payton-Alvin Kamara Connection Matters

Payton’s history with Kamara is nothing short of amazing. 

During their time together with the New Orleans Saints, Kamara became a five-time Pro Bowler and one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat weapons.

From 2017 through 2022, Kamara averaged over 1,500 yards from scrimmage per season and scored 77 total touchdowns. 

He thrived in Payton’s space-heavy and matchup-driven offense. 

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine also framed the idea as a cap-based decision. 

“It’s hard to justify his full $18.6 million cap hit as he turns 31 in July,” Ballentine wrote. 

“New Orleans can shave $3.4 million in cap space if they trade him before June 1. It would be $11.5 million if they trade him after.” 

From that lens, Denver becomes logical simply because Payton knows exactly how and when to deploy Kamara effectively.

Does Kamara Fit the Broncos’ Backfield? 

The Broncos already have a young, explosive back in RJ Harvey, and last season leaned on J.K. Dobbins before his injury.

Kamara’s skill set overlaps heavily with Harvey’s as a pass-catching, space-oriented runner rather than a true early-down bruiser. 

Kamara is also coming off the least productive season of his career.

In 2025, he failed to reach 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the first time, while averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and scoring only one rushing touchdown. 

Although he caught 33 passes for 186 yards, that marked a steep decline from the 543 receiving yards he posted the previous season. 

There’s also another layer in this rumor. 

Kamara reportedly threatened retirement if traded last offseason, underscoring how strongly he values staying in New Orleans. 

While that stance appears quieter now, any move would hinge on his willingness to embrace a new role on a different team late in his career. 

For now, this situation remains a speculative offseason idea driven by cap math and familiarity rather than roster fit.

If Kamara were ever open to playing for another team late in his career, it would likely be for a coach he trusts, and few make more sense than his former head coach in Sean Payton. 

That said, Denver’s current direction suggests the Broncos are targeting a different profile at running back. 

They are prioritizing durability and early-down reliability over another pass-catching specialist.

With backs like Rico Dowdle and similar options more aligned with that vision, a Kamara reunion feels more intriguing on paper than realistic on the field.

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