He dominated at 36 with 10.5 sacks. Will Cameron Jordan return to the Saints, or has his legendary career reached its final chapter?
The 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 season finale felt like a final curtain closing of the New Orleans Saints of a big stage production. A defense that refused to break, an offense searching for its soul under a rookie quarterback, and Cameron Jordan standing in the middle of it all, defiant against the clock, it felt like a series season finale with a cliffhanger.
As the clock hit zero at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the narrative wasn't just about a 6-11 season or a missed playoff berth. It was about whether we just watched the greatest defensive player in franchise history walk off the field in a Saints uniform for the last time.
The Ageless Wonder
If the 2025 season was supposed to be Jordan’s "sunset tour," someone forgot to tell him. At 36 years old, Jordan didn't just participate, he dominated. Finishing the year with 10.5 sacks, including a vintage takedown of Kirk Cousins in the finale—Jordan proved that his "down" 2024 was an anomaly, not a trend.
Alongside Chase Young, who also hit the double-digit mark, Jordan spearheaded a pass rush that looked like the terrifying units of the late 2010s. For a man who is now just 0.5 sacks shy of Lawrence Taylor on the all-time list, the "decline" narrative has been effectively set on fire.
The "Nikki Jordan" Factor
In the locker room after the loss, Cam was predictably candid. He didn't talk about "leveraging the market" or "testing free agency." He talked about his wife, Nikki, and their four kids.
"I defer to Nikki Jordan," he told reporters. "I said give me through 15 [seasons] and we’ll see where it takes us."
This is the reality of a legend at the crossroads. It isn't about whether he can still play, 10.5 sacks says he’s still an elite edge setter, it’s about whether the "numbers make sense" and if the emotional toll of another grueling season is worth it for a family that has already sacrificed so much for the Black and Gold.
Why the Saints Must Bring Him Back
There is a "young narrative" being pushed in New Orleans. With Tyler Shough showing flashes of being a true QB1 and young stars like Bryan Bresee and Kool-Aid McKinstry taking leaps, it’s tempting to want to get younger across the board.
But you don't replace Cam Jordan. The Saints' cap situation is, as always, a Gordian knot. Jordan’s current deal technically voids, leaving a massive dead cap hit for 2026. From a purely cold, business perspective, some might argue for a clean break. They would be wrong. Jordan isn't just a pass rusher, he is the WhoDat culture. In a locker room transitioning to a new era, having #94 as the North Star is invaluable.
The Possible Question Mark
Cam Jordan shouldn't play for another team, PERIOD! The sight and thought of him in a Falcons or Bucs jersey would be an affront to the city of New Orleans. If he has the fire for Year 16, and his performance against Atlanta suggests he has a bonfire, Mickey Loomis needs to find a way to make the "numbers make sense."
The 2025 season ended in a heartbreak against a rival, but it also proved that Cam Jordan is still "who he’s always been." Whether he returns for a record-breaking 16th season or chooses the quiet of retirement, he has nothing left to prove. But for a city that lives and breathes through its icons, we aren't ready to say goodbye just yet.