When you think of the New Orleans Saints' all-time greats, Cameron Jordan's name has to be near the top of the list. And right now, the smartest move the Saints can make before training camp isn't a flashy trade or a rookie gamble—it's bringing back their franchise legend.

Edge rusher remains one of the most glaring holes on the roster, and while Chase Young just posted the best season of his career (10 sacks, 15 QB hits, 30 pressures), the spot opposite him is still a major concern. The Saints racked up 44 sacks and 84 QB hits in 2025, and Jordan was a huge part of that, leading the team with 10.5 sacks while tying Young with 15 QB hits and adding 22 pressures. It was his best season since 2021, proving he's still got plenty left in the tank.

Now, look at the rest of the edge rotation. Carl Granderson and Chris Rumph II combined for just 8 sacks and 13 QB hits with 29 pressures. Granderson had flashes—6 sacks and 23 pressures—but he disappeared for long stretches, which has been a frustrating pattern throughout his seven-year career. Rumph is a solid role player and special teamer, but neither has shown they can be a consistently disruptive starter.

New Orleans did make a move during the draft, trading a fifth-round pick to the Raiders for Tyree Wilson. Remember, Wilson was the seventh overall pick in 2023, but he's been a disappointment so far. In three seasons, he has only 12 sacks, 24 QB hits, and 39 pressures. He's got tremendous speed off the edge, and entering a contract year, he'll be motivated to turn things around—but banking on that is a risk.

The Saints also signed edge Anfernee Jennings as a free agent after the draft, but none of these moves fill the void like Jordan does. He's not just a player; he's the heart of the defense. His consistency, leadership, and production are exactly what this team needs to take the next step. Whether it happens before OTAs or minicamp, the best decision New Orleans can make is to bring No. 94 back into the fold.