A Cameron Jordan trade might be genius and very unpopular

By: Jake Rajala

The New Orleans Saints long-time pass rusher Cameron Jordan has been sacking Matt Ryan since the Declaration of Independence was signed. Jordan ousted his 100th career sack in December and he’s clearly going into the Saints ring of honor when he retires. Here is a closer look at how dominant he has been in his career:

• 107.5 career sacks
• seven-time Pro Bowl selection
• All-Pro in 2017
• 10 seasons of 7.5+ sacks
• missed only one game in his career (due to COVID)

It’s clear that Jordan has been a pillar of consistency and dominance throughout his Saints tenure. Nonetheless, I don’t believe the grass is greener on the other side of the fence for Jordan. He’s shown signs of slowing down. He might have captured everybody’s emotion and attention for his late-season heroics in 2021, but he was often MIA in the first half of the 2021 season. In 2020, he had 7.5 sacks and he was even bullied by tight ends on multiple occasions.

Jordan is playing at a position (DE) on the Saints that is filled with talent. The Saints were even featuring Trey Hendrickson in 2020, but they let him leave and watch him almost win DPOY in his first season in Cincy. Hendrickson knocked out 15.5 sacks and he was more potent in the playoffs.

On the DE outlook, the Saints have Jordan, Marcus Davenport, Payton Turner, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Carl Granderson. One thing is clear: the Saints are loaded at the DE position. Marcus Davenport was one of the most efficient edge rushers per PFF in 2021 and Dennis Allen has called him the best player on his defense. When Davenport comes off the edge, it seems like the OT blocking him will automatically be pushed back into the QB.

Jordan is 33 years old this offseason, while Davenport (25 years old) and Turner (23 years old) have a plethora of potential. I believe the combination of potential on DE and the age of Jordan should make the beloved Cam expendable. Tanoh is quietly a modest pass rusher, as well (four sacks in 2021).

We’ve seen Payton ship out Jimmy Graham for OL talent and draft picks. I do believe that Allen is less likely than Payton to trade away profiles like Thomas, Ramczyk, Kamara, and Jordan. Although, it might be a wise move to trade away Jordan (and draft picks), especially if they can reel in a QB in a Cam trade.

Outside of Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson (assuming they stay on their team), there are QBs like Jimmy G, Garnder Minshew, Kirk Cousins, that could be acquired in a Jordan trade. I also strongly believe Jordan is the best trade chip out of Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Ryan Ramczyk, Marshon Lattimore, and Demario Davis. Jordan will soon have grey hair and he’s playing at the Saints packed edge rusher position.

The Saints can make sure they retain Davenport with Jordan’s salary out of the pass rusher bank. Turner and Davenport can the long-term pass-rushing tandem. Jordan (and Mark Ingram) might be the most popular players on the team, but I don’t see him being a true Pro Bowl-caliber beyond two more seasons with the Saints.

They could really use QB help and Jordan would be a smart piece to move. In 2024, Jordan could be retired, Davenport could cash in elsewhere, Hendrickson has already left, and their QB could be Mitchell Trubisky. I believe the prior scenario is really scary, but it’s very possible of happening. If the Saints don’t bring in a QB that’s capable of capitalizing off their loaded roster and bringing them to the Super Bowl soon, they should look at shipping out talented, veterans (cough, cough, Cameron Jordan).