Cameron Jordan knows he doesn't have much time left in his NFL career. He also knows things might look a bit different in New Orleans this season.
It's a positive admission. The Saints have a new coach in Kellen Moore, and after being decimated by injuries last year, Jordan expects a healthier roster to produce better results under the new coach.
There is a catch, though. Moore has never been a head coach. Jordan understands this and has already accepted he and his veteran teammates will carry a greater responsibility into 2025. All they need, according to Jordan, is to remain available.
"We're gonna have to take over on the leadership side," Jordan said Wednesday on Good Morning Football. "I think we have a team where, when healthy, (we're) top tier. Last year, (we) went 2-0, we saw a healthy Rashid Shaheed, we saw Chris Olave, a healthy offensive line. We saw a team that was determined, young guys coming off the edge, Chase Young, Carl Granderson. You had Bryan Bresee splashing this year. Then, after the two games, that was about the last time you saw us all healthy. Then, next thing you know, the injury bug happens.
"We were facing the next man up every week, including at our quarterback position, which is probably the most important position for our offense. Quarterback dishes the ball out. We're inserting Spencer Rattler. We're inserting Jake Haener, back to Spencer Rattler to Derek Carr. Give me a healthy Derek Carr, and I can tell you where a healthy Saints state of mind will be."
As he embarks on his 15th NFL season, there's no reason for Jordan to be anything but optimistic. Adopting any other approach would be foolish for Jordan, who will sell the Saints' dream on every interested party with a blend of hope and some healthy respect for the opponents they'll be battling in 2025.
"There's a place where we can still be happy. Hype is Chicago, but we could be happy," Jordan said. "Let's be real. The Bucs have won the division the last three or four years. So until you knock off the king of the hill, that's what you're doing, you're climbing a hill. But let's just not say they're running away with it. … They clearly won the NFC South last year, 10-7. The year before that, 9-8. The year before that, 8-9. Come on! It's definitely attainable to go after."
Jordan's mention of Carr was not a mistake. Like Jordan, Carr is a veteran who isn't following a long-term plan requiring patience in New Orleans. There was a period in which nobody knew whether Carr would be a member of the Saints in 2025, and even after they signaled they'd be proceeding with the 34-year old by converting most of his salary into a roster bonus last month, few would be shocked if New Orleans drafted a possible successor later this month.
Just don't try to convince Jordan of it.
"The Saints haven't drafted a quarterback since Archie Manning in the first round," Jordan said. "What ifs? I'm just looking at history, and what it doesn't do is repeat on the Saints' side for drafting first-round quarterbacks. I've seen it as well. Look at that, Shedeur Sanders. Look at that, Jaxson Dart. Look at that. We could possibly ... I've done that for too long."
With retirement once again looming, the edge rusher's sole focus is on 2025. He wants his team to prove they're better than the 5-12 record they posted last season and would like to reach that goal while accomplishing one of his own along the way.
"I've got a goal of mind. I'm at 121.5 sacks," Jordan said. "I feel like 125, it's always felt good. Somewhere last year, I decided that's it. Now that I'm just 3.5 away, I've got to go 130. You're always looking for that next level."
