It has been reported that the New Orleans Saints are planning to move forward with veteran quarterback Derek Carr, and that’s big news, because he was one of several veterans whose future with the team was up the air. With a decision reached for him, the Saints will now move on to deciding the fate of their other veterans.
One player that’s seemingly on the roster bubble is Cam Jordan. The veteran defensive end has been dominating in New Orleans since he was drafted in 2011, and as a franchise legend, it’s hard to believe that he could be playing for another team next season. However, that emerged as a real possibility towards the end of the season.
Jordan has one year left on his deal, and he made sure to cherish the last two weeks of the season, because he admitted that he didn’t know what was next. While he wants to play the 2025 season with the Saints, he expressed that he’s prepared to go to another team if New Orleans wants to move on.
Ultimately, the Saints will decide if Jordan is on the roster next season or not, but ESPN believes it’s time for the veteran defender to move on. In a recent piece, highlighting one player on all 32 teams that need a change of scenery, Katherine Terrell argued that Jordan and New Orleans parting ways this offseason could make sense.
"Jordan is the franchise sack leader (121.5) and a longtime team captain. He has been a staple of the organization since the Saints drafted him in 2011. But even he admitted recently he doesn't know what the future holds. Jordan will turn 36 in July and is due $12.5 million in salary. His playing time was limited in the first half of last season under Dennis Allen but ticked back up after Allen was fired midseason. He finished with four sacks in the final eight games. Jordan said he is not retiring and wants to continue his career with the Saints, but his age, salary and production could make that a complicated decision."Katherine Terrell (ESPN)
Saints could move on from Cam Jordan in 2025
If New Orleans did decide to release Jordan, it’d be hard to argue the decision. The only case for keeping him is nostalgia and loyalty; with one year remaining on his deal, the franchise could want to do right by him and let him finish his career with the team. No one would fault the Saints if they did that either.
Considering how New Orleans has moved in recent years, that seems like the most likely outcome. The Saints are unlikely to find a trade partner for Jordan, and they won’t get much cap relief by releasing him. That means letting him play out his contract and finishing his career as a Saint.