RB trade talks heat up among Saints Browns Chiefs

Three NFL teams are reportedly assessing running back trades as rosters tighten before Week 1, with cap space enabling a rental move.

Saints Browns Chiefs Eye RB Trade

The NFL trade clock is ticking as teams trim rosters ahead of final cuts. Reports indicate the Saints, Browns and Chiefs have been calling about a running back upgrade, with Commanders back Brian Robinson also in the mix for teams seeking options. No specific suitors have been named, and it remains unclear how any potential deal would unfold before Week 1.

New Orleans would rely on Alvin Kamara, who signed a new contract and is guaranteed part of the 2025 season cap. Any incoming back would likely serve as depth behind Kamara, with Kendre Miller and other additions in the mix. Cleveland’s backfield remains in flux after not re-signing Nick Chubb, leaning on Jerome Ford and a rookie-in-waiting in Quinshon Judkins, who could be pulled into the mix if the season starts with more depth. Kansas City already has Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in the picture, with the addition of Elijah Mitchell potentially nudging the backfield balance. Each team has enough cap space to pursue a rental option, but any move would have to align with longer-term plans for 2026 free agency.

The window for deals is tight and the market for a short-term RB upgrade is especially fluid this year. While a trade could address immediate needs, teams must weigh the cost against time, development of younger backs and the impact on the salary cap beyond the current season.

The recurring press of late-summer trades in the NFL often spotlights a pragmatic mindset: run games can win or lose seasons, but cap discipline keeps a team from overcommitting. By targeting a rental back, the Saints, Browns and Chiefs signal a preference for flexibility over long-term commitments. It also highlights a broader shift toward more diversified backfields, where teams value multiple capable options rather than a single bell cow. The real test will be the cost, both in draft capital and guaranteed money, and whether the rotation benefits outweigh the losses in development and chemistry.

Beyond Week 1, any RB trade could shape decisions for 2026, potentially affecting how teams manage cap space, contract structures and the growth paths of younger backs. If deadlines pass without a move, it may reflect a market that is wary of overpaying for a short-term fix and a preference to see how late training camp practices unfold.

Highlights

Rosters will tell the true story long before the final cuts and opening kickoff.