There has been a lot of talk about the possibility of the Dallas Cowboys signing a veteran running back to pair with starter Javonte Williams, but perhaps the experts have been looking in the wrong place. The name that was brought up was former Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans veteran runner Nick Chubb.
However, the better option could be New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara. The shifty RB is still on the Saints’ roster, but there are rumors about Kamara being a June 1 cap casualty, which could give the Cowboys an opening to add the veteran. The match made enough sense there’s even a faked Instagram post with Kamara posing on the beach wearing Dallas Cowboys gear.
However, the possibility of Kamara playing for another team in his 10th year does exist in the real world. The Saints signed RB Travis Etienne this offseason, which could be a reason for moving on from their star in the backfield. A June 1 release would mean the team would save minimal cap space this year, but with more savings next year.
The Saints restructured Kamara’s contract at the beginning of the league year in March, but it was a unique restructure that actually makes it more likely he will be released, despite there being just this one remaining year on the deal. Saints Wire dove in at the time.
There’s an obscure rule written into the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to prorate part of a current-year salary when the next year’s payout is a drop of 50% or more. That allowed the Saints to convert $10.15 million of Kamara’s base salary into an unguaranteed signing bonus paid out in $2.03 million increments over the next five years — for accounting purposes. Because Kamara’s contract is set to expire in 2027, he effectively has a salary cap hit of $10.44 million for 2026 and $16.26 million for 2027. Think of it as a quick fix rather than a permanent solution.
Kamara could be on his way out. This move doesn’t benefit him at all. He gets the same amount of money without more guarantees. While the Saints can’t trade or release him before June 1 without undoing the salary cap maneuver they just pulled off, if they choose to move on this summer it nearly breaks even. Releasing him after June 1 would change his 2026 salary cap hit to $11.39 million and leave behind $8.06 million in dead money for 2027.
Kamara has made over $67 million through his career in New Orleans. If available, Kamara and the Cowboys would be a great fit. The team might be looking for a veteran to pair with Williams as the top young backups Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah try to earn their way to more playing time. Blue and Mafah might take the second-year leap to make Kamara unnecessary, but the soon to be 31-year-old is the better player right now.
Although Kamara is coming off his worst season, he’s a dual threat RB who is just one year removed from a career high in rushing yards. He’s also averaged 67 catches a season and scored 87 career touchdowns.
He doesn’t play special teams and has missed at least three games in four of the last five seasons, including six in 2025 with an MCL sprain, but Kamara might be the best fit for the Cowboys if they are searching for veteran RB help. Kamara can still play, limiting his touches could keep him fresh and enhance his explosiveness.
The real question is for the Cowboys to answer; if Williams got hurt and missed extended time, would the team be comfortable with Blue, Mafah, or Malik Davis as the primary RB option? Or would they prefer someone with more experience and an ability to be the lead back for any stretch of the season?
This would all be a moot point if the Saints hold onto Kamara for another season, and there are still other veteran runners that may interest the Cowboys. However, Kamara could be the best option.
June 1 is approaching and Alvin Kamara is a RB name to watch for Dallas.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys could zero in on $67M player with 87 career TDs if he’s freed
Reporting by Ben Grimaldi, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
