After 15 seasons in one uniform, a lot of players would attach value to spending their entire career with that one team. It seems Cameron Jordan is not like most players after that many seasons with the New Orleans Saints, since he's been talking about being valued properly and about leaving emotions out of his free agency decision.
"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,” Jordan said, during a recent appearance on "The Set" podcast with former teammate Terron Armstead. “That may not be to my situation. As football players, we can only control what we can control. As much as I be like ‘Hell yeah, I want them to love me as much as I love them.’ Sometimes the business side of that makes you feel emotional. You gotta be able to take your emotions out of it. Of course, I’d love to be in New Orleans. At the same time, if the cents doesn’t make sense, we gotta find our own path. I know what I want to do, what I want to accomplish. If that doesn’t line up, then that’s fine as well."
It's hard to envision money being Jordan's primary motivator, approaching 37 years old and entering his 16th NFL season. He does not have a Super Bowl ring. So his best options would seem to be narrowed to who can pay him what he feels he's worth, and give him a chance to get a ring.
During that discussion with Armstead, Jordan expressed some hesitancy to play in a cold-weather city, noting that he was considering three teams at the time. He specifically mentioned Buffalo, Cleveland, and Green Bay as cold-weather cities to avoid.
Jordan may not be finding the kind of money he wants on the open market. Otherwise, he would probably be signed. So he is in line to have to adjust his expectations and embrace more potential landing spots.
Bears are surfacing as Cameron Jordan's most ideal landing spot
Places where Jordan has a tie to a coach naturally stand out as potential new teams for him. But the Detroit Lions, with former Saints assistant Dan Campbell as head coach, have gone their typical path by signing two lower-end veteran edge rushers. The Denver Broncos, with former Saints' head coach Sean Payton as the head coach, don't really need another edge rusher.
So that leaves us with the Chicago Bears, who, of course, have former Saints' defensive coordinator and head coach Dennis Allen as their defensive coordinator.
As he recently matched 10 of the top remaining free agents with teams, FanSided's Zachary Rotman put Jordan in Chicago.
"Even at 36 years of age, Cameron Jordan remains incredibly productive. He recorded double-digit sacks for the first time since 2021, tacked on 15 QB hits and ranked 24th among 115 edge rushers with a 76.0 PFF grade. He was particularly stout against the run, ranking fourth among those same 115 defensive ends."
"Jordan understandably wants to get paid like the elite player he remains, but as of now, the New Orleans Saints have not met whatever asking price he has, opening the door for him to depart for a team like the Chicago Bears who could really use him."
"The Bears were in the bottom half of the league with 35 sacks in the regular season, and despite their best efforts, failed to acquire Maxx Crosby to be their difference-making edge rusher. I'm not saying Jordan is as good a player as Crosby is, but he can wreak havoc and would be reunited with Dennis Allen, only making this fit even more perfect."
The Bears don't have very much cap space right now, but they also have some easy paths to free up big chunks of money. So they could make Jordan an offer that aligns with where he sees his value, and give him the opportunity to keep producing as he has for much of his career.
Jordan might have no room for sentimentality when it comes to choosing his next team, and that's fine. But the Bears have a coaching tie, an easily presumed scheme fit, an opportunity to play a lot/be impactful, and a chance to chase a ring.
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Even if Jordan would rather not play in a cold-weather city, it doesn't have to be complicated. The Bears are quickly becoming the best fit for him. Yes, even above the Saints.