Trending Now - Saints Invest $113M in Star Players, Vikings Left Empty-handed

WHO:

Kevin O’Connell, head coach, Minnesota Vikings

Dianna Russini, reporter for The Athletic

Ian Rapoport, NFL reporter

Travis Etienne, running back, New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara, running back, New Orleans Saints

Sean Payton, former head coach, New Orleans Saints

David Edwards, guard, New Orleans Saints

Adam Schefter, ESPN reporter

Tank Bigsby, running back, former Jacksonville Jaguars player

Chad Morton, running backs coach, Jacksonville Jaguars

WHAT:

The Vikings were interested in signing Travis Etienne but ultimately did not secure him.

The Saints signed Travis Etienne for four years at $52 million.

The Jaguars wanted to retain Travis Etienne, but he signed with the Saints instead.

The Saints signed Travis Etienne to a four-year, $52 million deal.

The Saints also signed David Edwards to a four-year, $61 million deal.

Alvin Kamara had a career-low 471 rushing yards and 186 receiving yards in 2025.

Etienne rushed for 1,107 yards and scored a career-high 13 touchdowns in the 2025 season.

Etienne ranks third on the Jaguars' all-time rushing list with 3,798 yards.

Kamara has been with the Saints for nine seasons.

Kamara was a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

WHERE:

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tottenham, United Kingdom

New Orleans, Louisiana

Jacksonville, Florida

WHEN:

The Vikings' overseas game against the Cleveland Browns took place on October 5th, 2025.

The Saints signed Etienne and Edwards on March 9th, 2026.

Etienne was selected 25th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Kamara's career-low rushing and receiving yards occurred in the 2025 season.

Edwards turns 29 on March 20th, 2026.

WHY:

The Vikings' interest in Etienne indicates a willingness to pursue top talent despite financial constraints.

The Saints' investment in Etienne could signal the end of Kamara's tenure with the team.

Etienne wanted to be near home, being a Louisiana native.

HOW:

The Vikings are considering signing a cheap veteran running back before the draft to solidify their running game.

The Saints restructured Kamara's contract without a signing bonus, leaving only $3 million in injury guarantees for the final year.

Etienne showed up in good shape and quickly learned the new offense under head coach Liam Coen.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 07:15 UTC)

In a recent development, the Minnesota Vikings expressed interest in signing running back Travis Etienne, but ultimately, he signed a four-year deal worth $52 million with the New Orleans Saints. This decision comes after the Jaguars aimed to keep Etienne on their roster, highlighting the competitive nature of player acquisitions in the NFL. As the Vikings prepare for the upcoming draft, they are now considering adding a more affordable veteran running back to strengthen their running game.

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(UPDATED March 9, 2026 23:12 UTC)

In a significant move today, the New Orleans Saints signed running back Travis Etienne to a four-year, $52 million deal, along with guard David Edwards for four years at $61 million. This comes as Alvin Kamara, who has been with the Saints for nine seasons, recorded a career-low 471 rushing yards and 186 receiving yards in 2025, raising questions about his future with the team. Etienne, a Louisiana native, had a standout season last year with 1,107 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and he quickly adapted to the Saints' offense under head coach Liam Coen.