If any running back could step in and immediately benefit the Cowboys with his versatility, it would be Alvin Kamara from the New Orleans Saints.
Kamara, a strong downhill runner and pass-catcher, started his career with four consecutive seasons of 80+ catches.
Although Kamara, now 29, isn’t what he used to be, he remains effective. The Cowboys saw this in Week 2 when Kamara ran for 115 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant Saints win. While some argue those stats reflect poorly on the Cowboys’ defense more than Kamara’s skill, he is still a valuable veteran. With the Saints enduring a five-game losing streak, trading Kamara before the Nov. 5 deadline could be possible.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III even suggested on Twitter/X that Dallas should trade for Kamara if the Saints continue struggling. Kamara is in the fourth year of his five-year, $75 million contract, but the Saints have deferred much of his money to next season, leading to a $29 million cap hit, requiring a restructuring.
However, Kamara shut down trade rumors on Twitter/X after a false report claimed he requested a trade. He wrote, “I ain’t request a trade.. so that’s a lie,” and further joked that he’d report any real news himself. When a fan suggested Kamara wants to retire with the Saints, he confirmed, “Correct.”
Despite obstacles like his contract, trading Kamara isn’t impossible. A restructured extension could make it feasible, but it would require Jerry Jones to act creatively—something that isn’t his strength. The bigger concern is Kamara’s declining performance in recent years, dropping from 6.1 yards per carry as a rookie to 3.9 in the last four seasons.
Nonetheless, his ability as a pass-catcher would fit Mike McCarthy’s system, and any new face would likely be an improvement over Dallas’ current backfield. Still, Kamara seems uninterested in being traded, making this trade scenario unlikely.
