Cameron Jordan is getting paid one more time.
The New Orleans Saints signed the star pass rusher to a three-year extension that will keep him wearing the fleur-de-lis through the 2023 season, the team announced. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the big-money deal is for $52.5 million with a max of $55.5 million and comes with $42 million in guaranteed money.
ESPN first reported the news.
The latest extension comes four years after Jordan signed a five-year, $55 million extension in June of 2015. He is now under contract for the next five years and a max of $74.5 million.
It's rare for a player to ink an extension with two years left on his current deal, but if there is any player who deserves to buck the trend, it's Jordan, who is an exemplary player both on and off the field.
Turning 30 years old in July, Jordan wanted security beyond the next two years. The Saints wanted to keep their veteran leader happy and were likely content giving Jordan $17.5 million per year in new money, which would make him the fourth-highest paid defensive end in the league. In a league with prices skyrocketing each year, having a player of Jordan's caliber under contract for the next five years is smart business.
"It all comes full circle in terms of loyalty and pride," Jordan said. "They picked me at 24 in 2011, and honestly I told them from the jump that this is where I'm trying to play my whole career. Everybody sort of laughs because you don't know what kind of shot you'll have, but nine years later we're sitting here and I want more than just the team I'm signed up for. I want to be up there with the greats. At this point we're fighting every day to be better than we were yesterday. As an organization, it's always kudos to show love to Sean [Payton] and Mickey [Loomis] and to my D-line coaches -- just that faith that they have that I'm going to continue working hard, continue striving to get better along with every one of my teammates, and they're going to do the same for me."
Jordan has been worth every penny the Saints have spent, and he has shown no signs of slowing down. He's compiled 71.5 career sacks in eight seasons, including 25 the past two years combined. The signature player on a rising defense, Jordan has long been the best player on a Saints D that struggled to find him a worthy running mate. With the addition of first-rounder Marcus Davenport last year, New Orleans finally believes they have a two-headed monster that can disrupt the QB. Tuesday's extension ensures the duo will be together for the foreseeable future and the Saints' defense will continue to improve.
With Jordan locked up, the Saints can now turn their attention to inking star receiver Michael Thomas to a massive new contract.
