The New Orleans Saints and Cam Jordan, it just makes sense -- and that won't be changing any time soon.
The franchise's career sacks leaders has been signed to a 2-year extension, a new deal announced Friday morning at the team facility in Metairie.
"I couldn't think about being anything but black and gold," Jordan said as his deal was announced.
The deal is no surprise, and only felt like a matter of time based on the stances taken by both Jordan himself and GM Mickey Loomis. Both indicated the intent to get an extension done, Cam to stay with the Saints, and Loomis to keep the DE around for the entirety of his career, then indicating he'd land in the ring of honor.
In many cases, a contract extension for a 34-year-old might be a no-brainer. In this case it is, in large part because of Jordan's consistency and prominence in a locker room that's seen significant turnover in leadership the past two seasons. Jordan played in every game of his career until late in the 2021 season when he was sidelined due to a positive COVID test. He also missed a game in 2022 due to a freak eye injury. If it was up to Jordan he'd have played both times.
If it hadn't been for the COVID absence to break the ironman streak, he might've pushed harder to play with a broken orbital bone last season.
"I know one mode and that's to go as hard as I can," he said.
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That durability has allowed Jordan to play in 192 games in the 12 years since the Saints drafted him at No. 24 overall in 2011. He broke Rickey Jackson's long-held franchise record for sacks late in the year, and now has 115.5 to his credit, a record that he'll look to put well out of reach over the next few seasons. Jordan has also been a quality run-stuffer throughout his career, and has logged 639 career tackles, 15 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries. He's got 58 passes defensed and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a TD.
Even with all that said, Jordan told the story that after the deal was sorted out, he checked in with his wife, Nikki, to ask if there was any pushback. "Don't Tom Brady me," he said, referencing the QB's late-career sojourn to Tampa Bay.
The response, via Jordan: "We're riding til the wheels fall off." Nikki Jodan was in attendance nodding her head, along with the rest of the family.
It all goes back to the commitment that both sides have shown, the team and player. Jordan wants to win a Super Bowl, and he wants to do it with the Saints, with Derek Carr, with Jimmy Graham, with the whole Who Dat crew.
"I want my story to be here," Jordan said.
But how long will Jordan actually play? He said that Year 13, which he's entering now was a benchmark for him. Now that he's gotten there, the next one is Year 15. With his new contract he'll be able to do that, and do it with the team that bet on him from the start.
"What more can I say that I'm elated just to be wanted," Jordan said. "I'm elated just to be here."
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