As the contract negotiations between Cam Jordan and the New Orleans Saints continue to stretch out longer than anyone expected, Chase Young is now chiming in with his two cents on the situation. Young's comments are a clear message to Mickey Loomis and seem to echo the sentiment of Saints fans.
Saints Wire's Arye Pulli caught up with Young at Devonta Smith's Celebrity Softball Game. Young didn't say much, but it should come as no surprise he wants Jordan back in New Orleans. Young told Pulli, "Cam is a big staple to New Orleans," Young said. "He's done a lot for the Saints. So, it's definitely important (to get him back)."
Important is an understatement. Jordan will be a difficult player to replace with the tangible and intangible contributions he brings to the game. Loomis is clearly open for it, but it doesn't hurt that Jordan's teammates are also being vocal.
Saints are flat out a better team with Cam Jordan
The Saints have done nothing to make the edge rusher room better than it was a year ago if Jordan doesn't return. The addition of Tyree Wilson and Anfernee Jennings are solid moves to prepare for Jordan not returning to the Saints.
Jennings gives the Saints a strong run defender on the edge, and they're hoping to bring out some untapped potential in Wilson's pass rushing. There's a reason he is a former top-10 pick. It's on Brandon Staley to get those traits to translate to the pro level. Jordan, however, gives you the pass rush and run defense in one player.
Jordan is coming off another 10 sack season. It would be fair to question if it’s replicable. Accounting for some regression, maybe Jordan can give the Saints about 7-8 sacks. If you ask Granderson to supplant that, which he hasn't shown he can do consistently then you'll need Wilson to step up and supplant Granderson's production.
Jordan's departure creates a trickle down effect of growing responsibility. While those players may be ready for steps up, retaining Jordan only further increases what the Saints pass rush is capable of next season.
If you don't account for his play on the field, there's still Jordan as a leader and respected voice in the locker room. The Saints already lost one leader in Demario Davis. Losing another could be difficult for a young locker room still finding their way.
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