Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and free agent defensive end Cameron Jordan know each other better than most.
Allen and Jordan overlapped for a decade while the two were in New Orleans. Allen shared what it was like coaching the 36-year-old pass rusher during rookie minicamp.
“My experience with him was outstanding," Allen said. "I mean, Cam's going to be a fricking Hall of Fame player – is a Hall of Fame player. I don't know that there's been a ton of discussion about that. I think we feel pretty good about where we're at and what we have. Yet, you never know what opportunities might present themselves at some point down the road."
Will Cam Jordan be a Bear or return to New Orleans?
The former first-round pick out of Cal in 2011 is entering his 16th NFL season. Despite being at the backend of his career, the 36-year-old has only missed two games. He registered a team-high 10.5 sacks for the Saints in 2025, making that the fourth time Jordan has ended with double-digit sacks.
With the Bears not adding any pass rushers in free agency or the draft, there could be an opportunity to add another defensive lineman, especially one with as much experience and production as Jordan.
One obvious obstacle to Jordan and Allen reuniting in Chicago is the New Orleans Saints. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said he does have a contract offer on the table for Jordan.
But Jordan shared some details about his situation when he joined former teammate Terron Armstead on “The Set with T.Stead.”
"As much as I love the city of New Orleans, as much as I want to be in the city of New Orleans … If things don't add up to what I consider as value happen, I understand the business nature of it all," he said. "In my mind, I'm like, 'of course,' you see guys my age re-sign with a team because that's the only team they've ever been with, and you're like, 'hell yeah, we love that,' but that's to his situation. That may not be to my situation. As football players, we can only control what we can control. … You gotta be able to take your emotions out of it. Of course, I'd love to be in New Orleans, but at the same time, if the cents doesn't make sense, then we have to find our own path.
Just because I love the city and the organization doesn't mean the city and the organization has to love me back. The city definitely has and always will. I'm just saying, my love doesn't mean it's unrequited."
So, there is still hope, for now.
Again, Allen mentioned there hasn't been much discussion about Jordan, and the team feels good about the current defensive linemen on the roster.
As with any transaction, it will take both sides working together to make something happen. But if the Bears are looking to acquire a veteran pass rusher, Jordan makes much more sense than signing another big-time name like Von Miller, who was linked as a best fit for Chicago in a recent ESPN article.
Even if the Bears don't add anyone in the immediate future, there is always a chance something will happen during training camp or before the regular season starts.
Read more: NFL insider's latest news shows Bears' hand on who might replace draft bust
The Bears struggled to create consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season, so every option to upgrade the unit should be in consideration.
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