The 2026 NFL offseason is officially entering the “unthinkable” territory. For the first time in 15 years, Cameron Jordan, the heartbeat of the New Orleans Saints, is staring down a voiding contract and the very real possibility of wearing a different jersey. If the Saints’ cap-strained front office can’t find a way to “value” their franchise leader, the Houston Texans shouldn’t just be interested, they should highly entertain the idea and strategically plan on making the first phone call.
Here is why a marriage between the 36-year-old legend and DeMeco Ryans’ rising powerhouse makes too much sense to ignore.
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The “Fountain of Youth” Production
Critics will point to his age (37 in July), but the 2025 tape tells a different story. After a quiet 2024, Jordan roared back last season with 10.5 sacks, proving his durability remains freakish.
The Iron Man Factor: Jordan has famously missed only one game in his entire career.
Efficiency: He isn’t just a situational rusher, his 82.1 PFF run-defense grade in 2025 ranked 4th among all edge defenders.
For a Texans team that finished 2025 strong but saw their Super Bowl dreams cut short in the Divisional Round, adding a double-digit sack artist who can also stone the run is a rare luxury.
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The Culture Fit: DeMeco’s Dream
DeMeco Ryans has built a culture in Houston centered on “Swarm” defense and veteran leadership. While Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are a terrifying duo (combining for 27 sacks last year), the depth behind them is thinning.
The Mentor Role: Anderson is a superstar, but having a future Hall of Famer like Jordan in the meeting room is the kind of “PhD-level” coaching that turns a great defense into a historic one.
Postseason Poise: Jordan has 132 career sacks and a decade of playoff experience. Houston’s roster is young; Jordan provides the “been there, done that” gravity needed for a deep February run.
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The Financial Reality
Jordan has been candid about his expectations: “Things I’ve never asked for is top dollar. All I’ve ever asked for is to be valued.”
Houston is entering a complex financial phase where they need to prepare for C.J. Stroud’s inevitable market-setting extension. They cannot afford to overpay for every position. Jordan represents the perfect “short-term, high-impact” investment.
The Deal: A heavy one-year “prove it” contract or a two-year deal with a low cap hit in 2026 would allow Houston to keep their flexibility while adding a legitimate Pro Bowl talent to the rotation.
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My Two Pennies
The Saints will likely try to keep their icon, but their salary cap gymnastics might finally hit a wall. If Jordan hits the open market on March 10, the Texans are the perfect landing spot. He gets to join a Super Bowl contender with a defensive-minded coach, and Houston gets the final piece of a championship-caliber defensive line.
It’s time for the “Iron Man” to bring his talents to the Space City and trade in the “Black & Gold” in for the “Steel Blue & Battle Red”.