The New Orleans Saints Restructures Their All-Time Sack Leader's Contract Creating $9M Of Cap Space

Saints work towards clearing salary cap space continues as the team restructures the deal of one of the franchise's greatest players.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the New Orleans Saints and defensive end Cameron Jordan have reached an agreement to restructure his contract. Jordan is the latest player to have his contract reworked by the team in order to comply with the salary cap before the start of free agency on March 13.

Since last week, the Saints have also restructured the deals of QB Derek Carr, C Erik McCoy, G Cesar Ruiz, and DT Nathan Shepherd.

Restructuring Jordan will create around $9 million in cap space, according to Nick Underhill and Mike Triplett of New Orleans Football.  The deal leaves New Orleans at between $14 and $16 million over the NFL salary cap.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) pressures Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10). Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK

Jordan, who turns 35 on July 10, has played all of his 13 NFL seasons with the Saints. He was the 24th pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Cal. Son of six-time Pro Bowl TE Steve Jordan of the Minnesota Vikings, Cam would go on to make an even bigger mark in the league than his father.

After a quiet rookie year of one sack and two tackles for loss, Jordan developed into one of the greatest players in franchise history. He'd go on to be the all-time franchise leader with 117.5 sacks, earning eight Pro Bowl honors along the way.

Jordan has six seasons with double-digit sack totals. He's also recorded 225 QB hits, 153 tackles for loss, forced 15 fumbles, intercepted two passes, and tipping 61 throws. While one of the NFL's top pass rushers, Jordan was also arguably the game's best run defender along the edge. 

Including postseason, Jordan has missed only two of a possible 222 starts through his 13-year career. Despite his toughness and durability, he was hobbled by injuries throughout the 2023 campaign. 

Jordan had only two sacks, six QB hits, and three tackles for loss over 17 contests last season. It was the worst statistical production since his rookie year. Jordan's 117.5 sacks are 18th in NFL history and trail only Von Miller (123.5) among active players.