If there’s a running back who could step in and make an immediate impact for the Cowboys, given his versatility and style of play, it would be Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints. Kamara is an outstanding downhill runner who excels in the passing game, having started his career with four consecutive seasons of 80 or more catches.
Though Kamara, now 29, may not be at his peak, he’s still an effective back with a good burst. The Cowboys saw this firsthand in Week 2 when Kamara recorded a season-high 115 yards and three touchdowns in the Saints’ dominant win. While some might argue that those stats say more about the Cowboys’ run defense than Kamara’s current ability, he’s still a quality veteran who could potentially be available ahead of the November 5 trade deadline, especially with the Saints reeling from five straight losses since their victory over Dallas.
Former NFL quarterback and analyst Robert Griffin III floated the idea on Twitter/X, stating, “If the New Orleans Saints continue to struggle in the coming weeks, the Dallas Cowboys should explore a trade for Alvin Kamara.”
Kamara Denies Trade Interest
There’s some logic to this. Kamara is in the fourth year of a five-year, $75 million contract, though much of the money has been pushed to next season, where his cap hit stands at $29 million—a figure that would likely require a restructure.
However, when the Kamara-to-Cowboys speculation began circulating on social media, Kamara himself responded. After one now-deleted report claimed Kamara had requested a trade, he clarified: “I ain’t request a trade.. so that’s a lie. I’m in an orange robe on the way to Knoxville.. #WhoDat.”
When more rumors surfaced, Kamara reiterated: “If there’s any news, I’ll report it from my couch… or I’ll have my brother @Cantguardmike (Michael Thomas) break it. Otherwise, we vibing out.”
In response to another post speculating that Kamara might want to retire with the Saints, Kamara simply replied, “Correct.”
Cowboys Should Show Interest Despite Obstacles
While his contract complicates a potential trade, it doesn’t make it impossible. Kamara could agree to an extension, spreading next year’s financial burden over two or three seasons. Griffin’s suggestion is valid—the Cowboys should inquire. However, this would require owner Jerry Jones to act decisively and creatively, which has not always been his strong suit.
The larger question remains whether Kamara can still be a game-changer in the run game. Once leading the league with 6.1 yards per carry as a rookie in 2017, Kamara’s average has fallen to 3.9 yards over the last four seasons.
That said, his pass-catching ability would be a valuable asset in Mike McCarthy’s offense. And given the current state of the Cowboys’ backfield, almost any new addition would likely be an improvement.
Yet, despite the talk, Kamara doesn’t seem intent on forcing a trade. It’s an intriguing idea, but not one that appears likely to materialize.
