After injuries to key wide receivers Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice, the Kansas City Chiefs have been frequently mentioned as a strong candidate for a wide receiver trade. However, some are now suggesting that they might benefit from adding a playmaker at a different position.
Following the New Orleans Saints’ fifth straight loss on October 17 during Thursday Night Football, and with a growing list of injuries, NFL analysts are now suggesting that the Saints should consider trading away veteran assets. Leading this list is superstar running back Alvin Kamara, one of the best pass-catching backs in the league.
CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin, reflecting on the Saints’ tough loss to the Denver Broncos, led by former Saints coach Sean Payton, noted, “Thursday was always going to be a tough game for New Orleans with a battered roster facing Payton’s defensively strong Broncos — and it was.”
Benjamin continued, “Kamara, once a top-tier dual-threat playmaker, and a key figure in the team’s earlier surge in 2024, now finds himself marginalized in the chaos.”
“The five-time Pro Bowler only had a half-dozen carries in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s blowout,” Benjamin added. “He was visibly frustrated on the sidelines earlier in the game, and has averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry in four of his last five games, struggling behind a weakened offensive line.”
Benjamin urged the Saints to “break from their stubborn ways, accept the reality, and lean into a long-term rebuild.” He added that they should “move on from Kamara, a home-run talent.”
As for the Chiefs, Benjamin named them as one of three possible destinations for Kamara.
Could the Chiefs Pair Kamara With Kareem Hunt for a 2024 Backfield Upgrade?
“While most are discussing the possibility of Kansas City trading for a wide receiver, why not make a big splash in the running back room, especially with Isiah Pacheco sidelined?” Benjamin suggested. “Kareem Hunt has performed well in relief, but can he stay healthy for the remainder of the season?”
Kamara would certainly elevate the Chiefs’ backfield as a pass-catching complement to Hunt, outperforming options like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Samaje Perine, or rookie Carson Steele. However, a couple of challenges stand in the way.
The first issue is cost.
“The [trade] return likely wouldn’t be high for a 29-year-old running back with a history of injuries and a significant 2025 salary,” Benjamin noted. Kamara is slated to earn $29 million in the final year of a contract extension he signed in 2020.
However, Benjamin pointed out a crucial factor: “The acquiring team could view Kamara as a half-season rental,” he explained, “since releasing him in the offseason could save $18 million to $25 million in 2025.”
The Chiefs would likely take that approach, especially with Pacheco expected to return. They might even be willing to offer a higher draft pick if the Saints agree to absorb part of Kamara’s 2024 salary. However, the question remains whether Kamara could quickly adapt to head coach Andy Reid’s complex offense with half the season already gone.
Reid typically prefers players familiar with his system when trading, which raises doubts about Kamara’s fit. It would be a costly gamble, especially with Hunt and the other running backs performing well enough.
No Trade Help Expected for Week 7 — But JuJu Smith-Schuster Is Trending Toward Playing
With no immediate trades expected ahead of Week 7, the Chiefs will rely on their depth against the San Francisco 49ers. On Thursday, it appeared that their depth nearly took another hit when wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster sustained a hamstring injury during practice.
However, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid provided an encouraging update on Smith-Schuster during his Friday press conference.
“I think he’ll be fine,” Reid said cautiously. “We’re listing him as questionable just in case, but [Smith-Schuster] did well today, so we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
Reid also indicated that Kansas City is unlikely to promote a wide receiver from the practice squad if Smith-Schuster is available for Sunday’s game.
