After 15 years in the NFL, Cam Jordan is about to do something for the first time: test NFL free agency.
The Saints and their longtime defensive end are not expected to reach a contract extension prior to the start of the new league year, according to a report from ESPN. That's the date when Jordan's current contract, which was functionally over at the end of last season, would void and Jordan would become an unrestricted free agent. It will be the first time since the Saints drafted him 24th overall in 2011 that he's hit the free agent market.
Jordan made it clear late in the 2025 season that he is dedicated to playing at least one more NFL season. is one of three older veteran players for the Saints, along with Taysom Hill and Demario Davis, who are on expiring deals and face uncertain futures.
The Saints defensive end agreed to a reworked contract before the 2025 season that converted a large chunk of his base salary into incentives, many of which he cleared in a resurgent season that saw him finish with double-digit sacks for the seventh time in his career. Jordan said at that point that both sides were eager to see him continue with the Saints, but that he would no longer be playing at what he described as a discounted price.
"The Saints have done nothing but show that they want me to be here," Jordan said. "Now, at what price, some would say half off this last year. Can’t do that again.”
Jordan has been documenting much of his offseason work on social media, but was notably silent following the reports that he would hit free agency, simply posting "Phillippians 4:13," referencing a bible verse that reads "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."
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The biggest question for Jordan will be exactly what his market becomes for the rest of the league. He will be entering his age 37 season, but has shown to be productive and a positive locker room influence. Cap analysis site Spotrac projects his market value to be in the range of $6.8 million.
Not extending Jordan means the Saints will have to absorb roughly $18 million in dead cap in 2026, a number they could've potentially pushed back with an extension. The team could still bring Jordan back in free agency, but they would have to account for the dead money and whatever comes in on the new deal. The Saints have a host of contract restructures they can execute to clear the requisite space to operate this offseason and be active in free agency, a process that began on Thursday with restructured deals for DE Chase Young, S Justin Reid and TE Juwan Johnson, according to reports from NewOrleans.football.
If Jordan has played his last game with the Saints, he'll move on as their all-time sacks leader (132) and one of just two players alongside Drew Brees to appear in more than 200 games in black and gold.