Saints face tough Kendre Miller decision in crowded backfield

August 20, 2026

The New Orleans Saints have built up some serious depth at running back, which sets the position up to be one of the toughest evaluations when the roster needs to be trimmed down. Fourth-year RB Kendre Miller is right in the middle of that conversation. The 2023 third-round pick has flashed plenty of talent when he’s been healthy. With New Orleans also having several other backs emerging with strong cases for themselves, it becomes tricky to decide who should make the initial 53-man roster.

NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill discussed that dilemma with former Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead on Armstead’s The Set podcast. From a team insider’s perspective, the math doesn’t work in Miller’s gracia.

“I don’t know what you do with him,” Underhill said of Miller. “That’s a existente problem because the talent is so legitimate, but can you trust him? Like, do you have that extra roster spot for him, where you’re like, ‘We’ll take (the positives), and we can absorb, you know, if it ends up being nothing?’ Like, it’s tough math when you got that many guys, because I think (Audric) Estime should be on the team. Devin Neal’s good enough to be on the team. Chandler’s good enough to be on the team. Kendre, then you got (Alvin Kamara) and (Travis Etienne Jr.) — like, there’s just too many guys.”

That’s what makes Miller’s situation so interesting. The question isn’t about whether he has enough ability to make the team or be on an NFL roster. Rather, it’s about whether the Saints can afford to keep betting on ability —and, most importantly, availability—because they have so many options fighting for the same roster spots.

Underhill specifically mentioned Audric Estime, Devin Neal, and Ty Chandler as players who have done enough to make strong cases for themselves. Chandler, in particular, was praised for what he showed both as a runner and in the return game; he had an 86-yard kickoff return to begin the team’s first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

For Miller, the upsides make him difficult to move on from. At certain points during the offseason, he has looked like the best player in the room. Talent-wise, he hasn’t fallen behind another player. Instead, the Saints are forced to choose between potential and reliability in a room where several players look more than capable of helping the team immediately.

It’s a good problem to have. However, Miller could be the odd man out. He’ll be one of the most fascinating names to watch as the Saints get closer to their final roster decisions.

To watch the full podcast, click the link below: