Entering the 2026 offseason, the New Orleans Saints are in a great spot as a franchise. They have found their quarterback in Tyler Shough, their top wide receiver, Chris Olave, is great, and they look to finally be turning the corner with their cap space.

But, if there were one major question mark on the roster currently, it would be with running back Alvin Kamara. An injury-shortened season is cause for concern, so the Saints need to evaluate their free agent, draft, and trade options going forward.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen linked the Saints to free agent running back Kenneth Gainwell, who was called a “baller” by Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Aaron Rodgers this past season.

Saints linked to Kenneth Gainwell as Alvin Kamara insurance

“Given the uncertainty of running back Alvin Kamara’s future in New Orleans, the team could bring in Gainwell,” Bowen writes.

Gainwell would be a great addition for the Saints this offseason, as he’s one of the league’s best dual-threat running backs. He caught 73 passes this past season and was a huge third-down option for the Steelers in 2025.

He finished the 2025 campaign with 537 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 114 carries in a split backfield, while also recording 73 receptions on 85 targets for 486 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.

After four years with the Philadelphia Eagles, including two trips to the Super Bowl with one title, Gainwell signed with the Steelers on a small deal and had a breakout year.

The Saints, with a running back need, could sign Gainwell, the 26-year-old running back, to a very reasonable contract over the next few seasons instead of trying to splurge on one of the top backs like Breece Hall or Kenneth Walker III.

More: Saints predicted to draft Alvin Kamara’s replacement in first round with Notre Dame RB

Plus, Gainwell has Rodgers’ seal of approval. Last season, after Gainwell’s massive game against the Minnesota Vikings overseas in Ireland, Rodgers had very high praise for the Saints’ free agent target in his postgame interview.

“Obviously, if you’re a football fan, you know who Kenneth Gainwell is,” Rodgers said. “It seemed like every time he went into the game for the Philadelphia Eagles, I thought, ‘Man, this guy is really good. He should get more touches.’ So when I came here, I knew what kind of player he was. I tell him all the time he’s an absolute baller.”

Rodgers calling Gainwell a “baller” is some very high praise. Any player receiving such praise is a good sign. But, when it comes from a future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers, that’s praise worth paying close attention to.

Add on that Kellen Moore is familiar with Gainwell during his stint as Eagles offensive coordinator during the Super Bowl season, and the fit between the Saints and Gainwell makes a lot of sense.

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