Another pass rusher has hit the free agent market, giving the Detroit Lions yet another strong option to find an upgrade at an area of need.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan "will not have a new deal in place with New Orleans by next week," leading to the eight-time Pro Bowler to become a free agent for the first time after 15 seasons with the Saints.
Eight-time Pro-Bowl DE Cameron Jordan, who has spent his 15-year career in New Orleans and had 10.5 sacks last season, will not have a new deal in place with New Orleans by next week and now will hit free agency for the first time in his NFL career, per sources. Jordan will play… pic.twitter.com/r5Q9sfk3am
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2026
Jordan, who will be 37 at the start of the 2026 season, has played at least 16 games in every season of his career and is coming off a 10.5 sack season, along with 47 tackles, 15 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. What the Lions would get by signing Jordan would be someone who has historically been healthier than Marcus Davenport, while playing more snaps in 2025 (590) than Al-Quadin Muhammad (457).
Jordan will be another potential Hall of Famer on the market for the Lions, along with the Los Angeles Chargers' Khalil Mack. Jordan has 132.0 sacks in his career, good for 17th all-time. Jordan was named First-Team All-Pro in 2017 and Second-Team the following two seasons en route to his place on the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
Will the Lions value Cam Jordan?
In the midst of ongoing rumors, speculation, and fantasies about the Lions acquiring a top-shelf pass rusher like Maxx Crosby, Jordan feels much more in line with general manager Brad Holmes' M.O. of finding value rather than aggressively spending big, like the Los Angeles Rams.
Jordan is in his late 30s and will unlikely command a high price tag. He more or less said so himself, saying to TMZ Sports in February, "If you get a 10-sack season, if I was 26, I’d be asking for top dollar.” Jordan continued, “Things I’ve never asked for is top dollar. All I’ve ever asked for is to be valued.”
READ MORE: An obvious David Montgomery replacement may soon be available
So, will the Lions value Jordan in free agency? He's a reliable modern-day legend who has shown he still has something left in the tank. His knowledge gained throughout his career could help unlock a higher level out of Aidan Hutchinson, who is already playing at a high level. Not to mention, head coach Dan Campbell is also familiar with him from his time in New Orleans. All that presumably without breaking the bank or locking the Lions into a lengthy contract.
Yet the market for Jordan should still be competitive. Jordan could also be eying a Super Bowl. After a last-place finish in the NFC North, despite a 9-8 record, there's an argument to be had that the Lions' open Super Bowl window will be under maintenance for the next year, making an all-in team like the Rams significantly more appealing.
As far as realistic options to upgrade the pass rush are concerned, Jordan feels like a perfect match for the Lions. It's just a matter of whether the Lions value him enough, and if that feeling is mutual.