What would put the finishing touches on the New Orleans Saints’ offseason? ESPN’s Field Yates has an idea, suggesting the Saints close the deal on a contract extension with Cameron Jordan.
Their big-time defensive end could finish out his career in black and gold, Yates writes, while bringing the Saints some much-needed salary cap flexibility later on down the road:
It’s rare to make the case for extending a 34-year-old defensive end, but not much about Jordan’s longevity is ordinary. He has aged exceptionally well. He remains dependable and productive while serving as one of the heartbeats of the franchise. And while I’ll never worry about the Saints as it pertains to the salary cap, an extension for Jordan would also mitigate the cap implications for next year, as he is currently scheduled to count $23.37 million against the cap in dead money.
Yeah, this would make a lot of sense — and both sides have publicly said they’re interested in talking shop. Jordan has made his intentions of finishing his career in New Orleans crystal-clear. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has voiced a similar sentiment. It feels like a matter of when, not if, both sides bridge the gap and reach a compromise here.
It’s just going to come down to money. Jordan won’t be making the $17.5 million per year he earned on his last extension. He’s still reliable but his pass-rush production has dipped in recent years as age and a heavy workload caught up to him, and the Saints must find a number that appeases Jordan’s contract demands as well as their budget. Something close to the $12.5 million that Calais Campbell was making on his last deal with the Baltimore Ravens might work. Expect these conversations to continue until the Saints kick off training camp in late July.
