Broncos would likely have no interest in predicted running back trade, even at low cost

Sean Payton has been the head coach of the Denver Broncos for three full seasons now. Throughout that time, there have been many projections that have the team trading for his former New Orleans Saints running back, Alvin Kamara. 

With the talk of offseason moves just beginning, that idea has already been floated for the 2026 season. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report is the latest to see a potential move between the two teams, suggesting that the Broncos could get Kamara for as little as a sixth and seventh-round draft pick. 

Here was his analysis:

"New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara wanted to stay with his team despite drawing interest at the trade deadline, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. However, he missed the final six games of the season with a sprained MCL and is now entering the final year of his contract.

With Kamara set to carry an $18.6 million cap hit in 2026, the Saints may be eager to move off of the 30-year-old (31 in July).

However, the talented runner and receiver should draw some interest on the trade market, even if his value is hurt some by a deep free-agent running back class. The 2026 draft class has some intriguing prospects—including Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love—but one promising player is returning to college.

Michigan's Justice Haynes entered the transfer portal instead of the draft and is now headed to Georgia Tech.

Given Kamara's age and price point, New Orleans can't expect to get more than a conditional late-round pick in return. However, they may not need to go far to find a trade partner.

The Denver Broncos may need a back to pair with RJ Harvey, as J.K. Dobbins is slated to be a free agent. Kamara, of course, spent a good chunk of his career under former Saints and current Broncos head coach Sean Payton."

There are some reasons why the Broncos' acquisition of Kamara would make a lot of sense. However, there are more reasons why it doesn't. 

He will turn 31 years old before next season kicks off and he is coming off a poor season in which he spent a lot of time injured. In addition, he is too similar to what the Broncos already have in Harvey and the other running backs on the roster. 

Though Kamara is potentially a Hall-of-Fame running back, his prime has passed and the Broncos need a young, tough, between-the-tackles runner who can pick up the hard yards, something Harvey is just not cut out to do at this stage of his career. 

The Broncos desperately needed that player at the end of this season and might be in the Super Bowl if they had him. 

READ: Bo Nix-Sean Payton spat highlights why Broncos must promote Davis Webb

Kamara has always insisted he's not interested in being traded and he might just finish his career out in New Orleans. Though it makes sense to connect him to his former head coach, the Broncos need to go in another direction this offseason. 

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