If this is it for Cameron Jordan, Chase Young is making his case as a worthy successor. He’s stepping up for the New Orleans Saints at a crucial time. With a quarterback on a rookie contract taking over on offense and looking better by the week, Young is making sure the Saints defense plays complimentary football. It’s something Tyler Shough hasn’t failed to notice.
But back to Jordan. The Saints legend revitalized himself this year with 9.5 sacks, his most since 2021, and with just one game left in his contract Jordan could very well be playing football elsewhere in 2026. Whether it’s reuniting with his old position coach Ryan Nielsen on the Buffalo Bills or following Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos, Jordan has played well enough for a Super Bowl contender to make him an enticing offer. You’d hate to see him play for another team. Unfortunately, that’s a reality we can’t rule out.
And if Jordan does end up in a different uniform next season, Young has done his part to look like a viable replacement on top of the depth chart. We saw it last year when he had 66 quarterback pressures, his most with a single team, but Young has followed it up with 40 pressures in just 11 games this season. His 8.5 sacks this year are a career-high. He’s also been credited with 32 combined tackles (trailing only the 44 he had his rookie season in 15 games), 9 tackles for loss (he had 10 as a rookie), 3 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. He’s been a tremendous fit in Brandon Staley’s defense.
You’d hope there’s a way for Jordan to return to the Saints next year on a deal that makes sense for both sides. Being able to finish out his career where it started, and where it’s always been, would be special. With the Saints seemingly having found an answer at quarterback, they could view themselves as contenders just as much as those other teams we mentioned. But you never know. If Jordan gets an opportunity to draw one last big payday and go chase the championship that’s always eluded him, who could blame him?
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: If Cameron Jordan moves on, Chase Young is Saints’ worthy successor
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