Cam Jordan Returns to Saints on 1-Year Deal for 16th and Final Season

Q: Can a 37-year-old Jordan lead a rebuilding Saints team to defy their low Vegas win projections?

Probably not by himself, but Jordan can be a meaningful reason the Saints outperform a 6.5-win projection. The case for optimism is real. Jordan is coming off a strong 2025 season with 10.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 17 starts, and Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the league’s better run defenders. His durability remains exceptional, with only two missed games in 15 seasons, and his leadership matters on a roster that is turning over. For a team that went 6-11 last year, adding back a productive captain on a one-year deal is a stabilizing move, not just a sentimental one. The broader team context also helps. New Orleans is not a full teardown. Kellen Moore enters Year 2 with signs of defensive continuity, a favorable schedule and an NFC South that lacks a dominant favorite. The Saints also deepened their edge group with Chase Young, Carl Granderson and trade addition Tyree Wilson, which should keep Jordan fresher and more effective in a rotation. Still, expecting a 37-year-old edge rusher to “lead” a rebuild to a major surprise is too much. Vegas has the Saints at 6.5 wins for a reason: the offense still has to prove it can consistently support the defense, and age-related decline can come quickly for pass rushers. Jordan can help raise the floor, set the tone and swing a couple of games, but whether New Orleans beats its projection will depend more on quarterback play, overall health and Moore’s second-year progress than on Jordan alone.

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 16

One year after his contract expired, Cam Jordan said he is "back" with New Orleans for a final 2026 season, ending months of uncertainty over free agency or retirement.
March 5 reports had said Jordan was open to leaving after failing to reach terms earlier in the offseason, but the 37-year-old said he still believes in the Saints and their locker room.
2025 production helped drive the return: Jordan played all 17 games and posted 10.5 sacks, 47 tackles and 15 quarterback hits—his first double-digit sack season since 2021.
Jordan enters his 16th season as the Saints' all-time leader with 132 sacks and 243 games played, giving New Orleans a veteran defensive anchor after a 6-11 season.