Cameron Jordan, Denver Broncos
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Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after his team's victory against the New York Jets.
The Green Bay Packers might need edge-rush help more than any team in the NFC, and that is true even if Micah Parsons can get back to the field fully healthy by Week 1.
Mina Kimes and Bill Barnwell of ESPN last week discussed Parsons’ injury and just how much responsibility the Packers are going to heap upon his surgically-repaired knee whenever he does return to active status after tearing his ACL in Week 15 last winter.
“I don’t know if there’s a more load-bearing player in the NFL right now than Micah Parsons,” Kimes said. “It’s not a good group outside of Micah Parsons.”
Barnwell noted that Lukas Van Ness, a first-round pick in 2023 with just 8.5 career sacks, is going to have to assume the role of primary edge-rusher if Parsons isn’t back to start the season.
“Van Ness was sort of a secondary, tertiary piece last year. I liked it actually most when they were using him inside on passing downs and he was rushing against the interior,” Barnwell said. “And now he has to be a dude on the outside. He’s not really been that player.”
The only way that doesn’t happen is if Parsons can get back Week 1, which he hasn’t ruled out but also won’t commit to at this point in his rehabilitation, and if Green Bay doesn’t add a veteran pass-rusher. Kimes and Barnwell named several players who could fill that role, including Cameron Jordan, most recently of the New Orleans Saints.
Cameron Jordan Was Massively Productive for Saints Last Season
Cameron Jordan, Saints
GettyDefensive end Cameron Jordan, formerly of the New Orleans Saints.
Jordan is entering Year 16 and has earned Pro Bowl honors in eight of his first 15 campaigns, not to mention three first-team All-Pro nods.
He has played his entire career with the Saints, tallying 175 tackles for loss and 132.5 sacks, and will likely end up in the Hall of Fame. The one thing Jordan doesn’t have is a Super Bowl ring, which Green Bay can give him a crack at winning in 2026 after three straight years in the playoffs.
“There are a lot of edge guys left,” Barnwell said. “I do wonder if this is a team that … adds a veteran edge-rusher, because they desperately need one.”
Kimes noted Jadeveon Clowney’s availability before mentioning Jordan, who put up 15 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in his age-36 campaign last season.
“Also Cam Jordan, who I feel like will re-sign in New Orleans, who was actually pretty good last year,” Kimes said. “[The Packers] definitely need someone.”
Packers Should Be Able to Sign Cameron Jordan to Value Contract
Cameron Jordan, Saints
GettyDefensive end Cameron Jordan, formerly of the New Orleans Saints.
Despite Jordan’s consistent production and season-specific numbers in 2025, Spotrac projects his market value at a reasonable $6.8 million. He earned just over $6 million with the Saints last year.
Jordan potentially represents monster value on a one-year deal in that range if Parsons is out. And he retains significant value on such an agreement even after Parsons returns.
The Chicago Bears were one of the worst pass-rush defenses last season and could also be in the market for one of the top veterans still available. Jordan has ties with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, so even though the Bears recently dismissed the notion of signing Jordan, he’s a name worth vetting for the Packers — and soon.