Pro Football Rumors
On Wednesday, Cameron Jordan brought his lengthy free agent spell to an end. The Saints icon is indeed set to finish his career in New Orleans.
It remained uncertain through the spring whether or not team and player would agree to terms on a 2026 deal. Jordan was not looking for the most lucrative offer available, instead focusing on a short list of alternatives to New Orleans. He wound up taking a one-year pact which is believed to be worth less than his initial asking price with the Saints but did not represent a reaction to an offer from an outside team.
“There was no match,” Jordan confirmed (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell). “It’s the idea that I could have played for the same team for my entire career. The loyalty streak has always run deep with me. And I think a couple years ago, me and [general manager] Mickey [Loomis] sat down and was like, ‘Look, man, the way you played, the way you managed yourself, you always have a job here.’ Now, it may not be what I think I’m worth or whatever it is, but it’s always been the idea that we had an open line of communication.”
Jordan declined to go into specifics about the gap which existed between the figure he was seeking and the value of his latest Saints deal. In any event, further details on the contract have emerged. 2026 will pay out a base value of $7.5MM, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football notes; that represents a small raise compared to last year. Sack incentives being reached will result in Jordan maxing out the potential of the deal and collecting $11MM. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds this deal contains a $6.15MM signing bonus.
During a resurgent 2025 season, Jordan led the Saints with 10.5 sacks. The eight-time Pro Bowler had seen his production drop in previous years, and expectations could be relatively tempered for his age-37 campaign. Nevertheless, another strong showing would be key for the Saints’ defense in particular and the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs in general.
Jordan has amassed over $147MM in career earnings. That figure will increase over the course of a final season with the only NFL team he has played for, with the encouragement of his family and the familiarity of New Orleans helping to outweigh financial considerations.
