Cameron Jordan's standout season fuels a free agency dilemma. Will the Saints pay up, or will their legendary pass rusher chase a new chapter?
NFL free agency is underway, and teams across the league are set to make difficult decisions. Among them, the New Orleans Saints will have to decide if they can afford to re-sign veteran defensive lineman Cameron Jordan or let him walk in free agency.
Jordan has been a key member of the Saints defense for a while now. Were money no object, certainly the team would more than welcome the player back to New Orleans. Jordan, however, had a resurgence in a "contract year" in 2025. The inflated statistical season has put New Orleans in a tough spot because of his increased value in free agency.
Katherine Terrell of ESPN discussed the recent news in regard to whether or not Jordan will re-sign or play elsewhere.
"New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan will become a free agent when the new league begins next week, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Jordan, 36, has played 15 seasons and became the Saints franchise sack leader at the end of the 2022 season. He has 132 career sacks.
Jordan's contract will automatically void if he does not have a new deal in place before the new league year begins at 4 p.m. E.T. on Wednesday. If that happens, the Saints will absorb $18.76 million of dead money against their 2026 salary cap. If the Saints sign him to a new contract after that deadline, the dead money from the previous contract and any money from the new contract would both count against the salary cap.
Jordan reworked his contract last year to decrease his base pay while adding incentives for sacks and playing time. Jordan maxed out his incentives of $2 million for sacks and finished the season with 10.5 sacks, his most since the 2021 season. He said in January that he did not want to take a similar deal again this year."
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) gives chase to Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) during the second half of the game at Nissan Stadium. Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesAccording to Terrell, Jordan has stated he genuinely wants to return to the Saints. The player knows he has a strong legacy in New Orleans and is beloved by those inside and around the organization. Jordan, however, is not looking to take a significant pay cut, and rightfully so. Coming off a 10.5-sack season it's clear he can still play at a high level.