When the Denver Broncos shunned other free agent running backs and resigned J.K. Dobbins – along with bringing back Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin – most observers felt like the Broncos had buttoned up their running back corps for the 2026 NFL season. And maybe they have. Maybe they are preparing to literally run it back.
Or maybe there’s one other move they’re waiting to make that could make a difference next season?
Reports out of New Orleans say the Saints are looking for trade partners while staring at the very real possibility of having to give five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara his outright release. If that happens, the Broncos should make the veteran free agent an offer he can’t refuse.
Kamara will have other suitors, of course, but none of them have what the Broncos have – the player’s connection with his longtime head coach, Sean Payton.
Last season, when Kamara’s name came up in trade talks, it was reported that the veteran running back would consider retirement before allowing himself to be shipped off to a place he didn’t want to be. That would not be an issue if the Saints tried to trade him to Denver. The former Tennessee Volunteer standout had the best seasons of his career when Payton was his coach in New Orleans. A reunion seems like the perfect way for him to end it.
A trade doesn’t seem likely, given the assets and finances involved. But with the Saints having already invested heavily in free agent signee Travis Etienne Jr., they’ve boxed themselves in. The best they could hope for in a trade would be a late-round draft pick, while they also eat a lot of what remains of Kamara’s existing contract.
An outright release seems much more likely.
A fully healthy Kamara in predominantly orange would be a big boost for the Denver offense next season. Remember, Dobbins has an injury history of his own, and the chances of him being the primary ball carrier for the Broncos for all 17 games next season are slim. Is it okay if the plan is to have him share carries with Harvey, who has shown wonderful pass-catching ability but clearly isn’t the answer in the running game? And either McLaughlin or Badie as the number two? No thanks.
Yes, Kamara is on the downside, and yes, he had an injury-plagued 2025 season that saw him put up a career low in yards per carry. Still, his “been there, done that” veteran experience could be a big boost to the Broncos’ running back room. He’s also an experienced and talented receiver out of the backfield, and his familiarity with the Payton offense makes him the perfect leader for that pack.
Financially, the Broncos have cap space available, and if Kamara is healthy and is released after June 1st as rumored, it’s the Saints who would take the cap hit. Denver would then be available to work out a nice deal for both sides.
If he’s only asked to share some carries with Dobbins, a healthy Kamara could be a terrific addition to a team that needs veteran help at that position.
The Broncos could still want to get younger by using a draft pick on a runner. They might be in a position to take one with the 62nd pick in the upcoming draft. Arkansas tailback Mike Washington Jr. should be available, and he’d be a nice selection. Otherwise, they’d be looking at guys like Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, who is more or less the same player as Harvey at this point, and wouldn’t be an upgrade.
Or they could try to acquire another veteran at the position… like Nick Chubb or Austin Ekeler. But are they upgrades?
There won’t be another Kamara available for Denver to draft or sign as an unrestricted free agent.
Plenty of observers have been slightly critical of Payton’s fondness for former Saints players and coaches, but in this case, bringing Kamara into the Broncos’ fold would be a great way to put the wraps on the offseason and get ready to make another Super Bowl push.
