Despite the stated plan to go with what they have, the Chicago Bears should not shut the door on adding an edge rusher from a list of interesting available options.
Of course, some of those free agent options would be a better fit than others. On that front, Cameron Jordan is easy to place at the top of the Bears' list due to his history with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Allen was fired as the New Orleans Saints head coach during the 2024 season. As that season wound down and ended, there were indications Jordan was going to ask for a trade. However, it also seems the source of his ire was not Allen before Allen was fired, but defensive line coach Todd Grantham.
If Jordan is looking to get one more notable payday like it seems he is, to say nothing about his clear setting aside of any sentimentality about spending his entire career with the Saints, the Bears become a more strained fit.
It's possible the Bears will have to re-assess their edge rusher situation between now and Week 1. By that point, though, who knows who will still be available? It's fair to assume Jordan will be signed before training camp, if not in time to attend mandatory minicamp somewhere next month.
Dennis Allen has set aside the idea of a Cameron Jordan reunion (for now)
During his press conference on Day 2 of the Bears' rookie minicamp, Allen was asked about possibly wanting to work with Jordan again.
"My experience with him was outstanding. Cam’s going to be a frickin' Hall of Fame player, is a Hall of Fame player," Allen said. "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 and yet, you never know what opportunities might present themselves down the road."
If there have been any discussions at Halas Hall about signing Jordan up to this point, Allen was surely involved due to his years working with the eight-time Pro Bowler. Maybe a contract offer was made, but it wasn't to Jordan's liking at that time.
Circumstances can and do change, though. The longer Jordan remains available, the lower his price will (or should) get, and the Bears remain a good match for him in nearly every way.
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If Jordan's proverbial line in the sand about not wanting to play in a cold-weather city gets blurry and the Bears call, Allen may get the reunion he's not quite ready to commit to right now.
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