As for Jordan’s future, just where Year 16 takes place is to be determined.
An eight-time Pro Bowler, Jordan has spent his entire career with the Saints, but his contract is set to void. He’s the No. 83 free agent on NFL.com’s top 101 list and coming off a 10.5-sack campaign, his first double-digit effort since 2021. His 132 career sacks rank second among active players, and he’s yet to miss more than one game in a single season.
The durability and productivity is still there, even if he has no expectations it will result in a massive pay day given the stage he’s at in his career.
“If you get a 10-sack season, if I was 26, I’d be asking for top dollar,” Jordan said. “Things I’ve never asked for is top dollar. All I’ve ever asked for is to be valued.”
If the Saints hope to keep one of their franchise legends in New Orleans, they’ll need to find the happy medium between bringing Jordan back on a bargain and matching his perceived value; they are one of 10 teams currently projected to be over the salary cap.
Should the sides eventually agree to an extension to stick together as they have several times before, Jordan feels optimistic about the team’s prospects — thanks in part to Shough’s emergence, but also due to the mindset any player of his caliber maintains.
“I hope so,” Jordan said when asked if the Saints could be on track for a deep playoff run. “Isn’t that the goal? Ain’t nobody going the whole offseason, thinking like, man, I hope we just win three games. I’ll leave that to the Jets.”
Suffice it to say, Gang Green likely won’t be in the running to sway Jordan away from the Big Easy.