NFL Trade Machine: Cameron Jordan To Chicago

Nov 9, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) celebrates a third quarter sack against San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The 49ers won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Unless one has had their ears plugged and eyes shut, it’s been clear from the very start of free agency that the New Orleans Saints are in a full-blown fire sale.  That is to say any player who holds a significant amount of cap space and value is being shopped on the NFL trade market.  The list so far?

• Tight end Jimmy Graham: dealt to Seattle with 4^th round pick for center Max Unger and 1^st round pick
• Guard Ben Grubbs: dealt to Kansas City for 5^th round pick
• Wide receiver Kenny Stills: dealt to Miami for 3^rd round pick

Word has it that basically nobody on the roster is untouchable except for quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Brandon Cooks.  One such name that has continued to garner attention is defensive end Cameron Jordan.  The 25-year old is in the final deal of his current contract and holds a cap number of $6.969 million.  New Orleans is in no position to offer him a lucrative extension, which he should be in position to demand after posting 20 sacks over the past two seasons.

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Hence the trade speculation.  Rumors are hot that he can and should be moved at some point.  It’s merely a question of who will make the deal.  One team that makes a lot of sense is the Chicago Bears.

Trade Offer:  Saints deal Jordan, #13 pick and a 3^rd round pick to the Bears for their #7 pick

Benefits For Chicago

The Bears are in the midst of a transition on defense, switching to the 3-4 scheme under Vic Fangio.  One area they are lacking any sort of talent or depth is defensive end.  Cameron Jordan would make for the ideal solution and grant them so much more flexibility.

As for the 3^rd round pick, it’s important to remember that the Saints now have two of them, so one can be spared.  Also, keep in mind Jordan regressed last season from his Pro Bowl year in 2013.  So his value isn’t as high despite his still young age.

Benefits for New Orleans

The key to this deal for the New Orleans Saints brass are two obvious things:  the near $7 million in cap relief and the ability to jump into the top 10 of the NFL draft.  Not only do they gain more flexibility with their finances but they also have a tremendous opportunity to land a significantly talented player at a position of need.

Or they could seek the heir apparent to Drew Brees.

Conclusion

One key note to remember in this NFL trade idea is that Bears GM Ryan Pace was director of player personnel the past few seasons for the Saints.  He was with them since 2002 and has a strong relationship with Mickey Loomis.  Such a connection would make a deal far easier to get done because Pace has familiarity both with the Saints and with Jordan.