Could the upcoming season be a bounce-back year for Cam Jordan? The All-Pro defensive end of the New Orleans Saints faces the challenge of proving he can still be productive as he enters the twilight of his career at 34. The critical question is whether he can significantly impact the Saints’ defense this season. The statistics can be misleading despite the unit’s solid overall rankings last season. The Saints were among the teams with the fewest sacks by pass rushers, indicating a lack of effectiveness in pressuring the quarterback.
In 2023, Carl Granderson led the team with 8.5 sacks, a career-high for him, but beyond that, there was a noticeable absence of players stepping up. Cam Jordan led the charge in previous years, often facing double teams from offensive linemen. Despite this, he has had seasons with over 12 or even 15 sacks. However, in the past couple of years, including 2022 and the last season, Jordan hasn’t been able to replicate that high production level.
Jordan has dealt with injuries in recent seasons, raising whether he can return healthy this year and be the disruptive force the Saints need on defense. The New Orleans defensive line has lacked a dominant player over the past two seasons. The team had high hopes for Marcus Davenport to step up, but that never materialized, leading them to move on from him. Now, their focus is on developing Payton Turner.
Turner, however, remains a work in progress and needs a significant turnaround in 2024. He has shown great potential and upside, and I believe he could surpass Davenport’s performance if he stays healthy. As the saying goes, “The best ability is availability,” and so far, Turner has struggled to demonstrate that.
There is also potential in Isaiah Foskey, a second-round pick who is Notre Dame’s all-time sack leader. However, he has yet to translate that success into steady production for the Saints. If these players and a rejuvenated Cam Jordan can step up, the Saints’ defensive line could significantly improve this season.
We didn’t see enough from him in his rookie season to have high hopes for him becoming a key player this upcoming season. The production must come from somewhere, and it might be Cam Jordan again if he can stay healthy. If the Saints get more production from other players on the defensive line, this defense could return to its former glory.
When Jordan was at his peak, he recorded double-digit sack numbers, with his last such season being 2021, when he had 12.5 sacks. In 2022, that number dropped to 8.5. At this stage in his career, a bounce-back season for Jordan would mean achieving around 7.5 to 8.5 sacks. This would be a significant boost for the defense. It would greatly benefit the team if Jordan could get around seven and a half sacks and Carl Granderson could contribute eight to nine.
This defense needs all the help it can get in pressuring the quarterback and being disruptive. That’s something to watch for this upcoming season. If Jordan is fully healthy, I believe he can still be an impactful player for this team. Despite his age, he remains a strong run defender and can still disrupt the pass. Although he played a rotational role last season due to not being 100%, he has the potential to be more than that.
The Saints will especially need his contributions if players like Payton Turner aren’t up to speed or suffer another setback. Additionally, there are uncertainties surrounding Chase Young’s situation. Therefore, having a healthy and productive Cam Jordan could be crucial for the Saints’ defense in 2024.
Young is recovering from a recent neck procedure and is expected to participate in training camp activities later. Head coach Dennis Allen recently updated us that Young has been diligently working at the facility, doing everything he was asked to do to get back into action. However, it’s important to remain cautious and not take the team’s statements at face value. While the team may provide optimistic updates, the actual test will come when it’s time for Young to step onto the field. Given the uncertainties surrounding injury recoveries, staying vigilant and monitoring his progress closely is essential.
The Saints have every reason to be optimistic about Cam Jordan’s potential for a bounce-back season. If he can stay healthy, his experience and leadership will be invaluable to the defense. A rejuvenated Jordan, achieving even a modest increase in sack numbers, could bolster the team’s pass rush and overall defensive performance. Additionally, the potential addition of a fully recovered Chase Young brings another layer of excitement.
Young’s upside and raw talent, combined with Jordan’s proven capabilities, could create a formidable defensive duo. This tandem has the potential to wreak havoc on opposing offenses, creating a ripple effect that would elevate the entire unit. With a healthy Jordan and an emerging Young, the Saints’ defense could see substantial improvements, making them a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
Show Your Support
Support the great work of the Saints on Sports View 360 by purchasing licensed NFL fan gear. Items ranged from Saints hats, jerseys, t-shirts, socks, and more. We would greatly appreciate it if you would buy these items from the text link listed below. The revenue generated from today’s offer goes into the funding of the Sports View 360. Click on the link below if you are interested.
New Orleans Saints Fan Gear Deals at Fanatics
