Saints legend Cam Jordan is set to hit free agency

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 28: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a win against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of a game at Nissan Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Derick Hingle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The New Orleans Saints have a number of important players leaving in free agency, but out of the list, defensive lineman Cam Jordan seemed the most likely to return. He has been in New Orleans his entire career, was coming off a great year in the new scheme, and is ingrained in the city. But it seems that Jordan will now test the market, per Adam Schefter.

Eight-time Pro-Bowl DE Cameron Jordan, who has spent his 15-year career in New Orleans and had 10.5 sacks last season, will not have a new deal in place with New Orleans by next week and now will hit free agency for the first time in his NFL career, per sources. Jordan will play... pic.twitter.com/r5Q9sfk3am

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2026

This is a big hit for the Saints. Financially, the team would have saved money by bringing Jordan back on a 1-year deal, thereby avoiding the dead cap hit from his departure. Looking at the roster, Jordan was still an important member of the locker room and defensive line group. Now, the Saints' existing need at EDGE has just been elevated to another level. Instead of just needing one more starting EDGE, the Saints need two.

They can get these players through the draft or through free agency (or both), but no matter what, the Saints need to add two more pass rushers to the roster. Cam may still come back, and this could just be him testing the open market, but if he does leave, it would be bad news for the Saints.