Once the New Orleans Saints brought Travis Etienne in on a four-year, $52 million deal, everyone asked the same question: What does this mean for Alvin Kamara? It’s a valid question. Kamara will be 31 when the season starts and is sitting on a big cap hit. But there’s another lingering question in the Saints running back room that hasn’t been asked a lot: Will Kendre Miller be on the team next season?
On top of signing Etienne, the Saints are a team to look out for to add to their running back room
in the draft. They’ve quietly done their homework, and even brought Washington running back Jonah Coleman in for a private workout.
The running back room is already crowded in New Orleans. Etienne, Kamara, Miller, Neal, Estime, and newly signed Ty Chandler mean Miller is already labeled a cut candidate; a new draftee would make it more likely.
Miller was an early selection by the Saints in the 2023 NFL Draft, taken 71st overall. But it was no surprise the former TCU running back was drafted so high. His talent radiates from him, and he offers the Saints the chance to be Kamara’s successor. But Miller’s inability has plagued his career and kept him from earning meaningful playing time.
Miller has yet to appear in more than eight games in a season and has just two career starts in his three-year career. While injuries played a big factor, there was also rumored tension between the fourth year running back and former head coach Dennis Allen, where Allen allegedly placed Miller on the injured reserve list for a minor injury due to frustration.
The 5-foot-11 running back would get a clean sheet with Kellen Moore taking over as head coach. Moore even gave Miller high praise, saying, “Kendre’s just done a phenomenal job since I’ve been here. I’ve really enjoyed this guy. I think he’s an awesome player.” Unfortunately for Miller, his fresh start would end familiarly, fittingly suffering a torn ACL against the Allen-led Chicago Bears.
So where does Miller go from here? The Saints have their new RB1 with Etienne, and even if Kamara were to retire, Neal showed flashes during his rookie season. Miller has plenty of talent and put it all on display for the Saints in 2025, but a lack of trust has been placed on the former third-round pick’s ability to stay healthy.
It’s hard to imagine that if the Saints invest high on running back in the 2026 NFL Draft (Rounds 1-3), Miller will remain on the team. Room has to be made, and so far, the former TCU running back’s name is being rumored more and more as a candidate to be looking for a new team in 2026.
