Justin Reid explains why Cameron Jordan means so much to the Saints

Justin Reid hasn't been around Cameron Jordan for long — it's only been one full season. Despite that, Reid already understands what Jordan means to the New Orleans Saints. The value of the longtime Saints defensive end extends beyond the football field and his weekly production, and Reid has already seen it.

Jordan is entering what is likely to be the final season of his career, but the respect for him hasn't wavered. He's now considered one of the greatest players in franchise history.

“When you think (of the) New Orleans Saints, I mean, the first person that comes to mind is probably Drew Brees. And then the second person that comes to mind is Cam Jordan,” Reid recently said on SiriusXM Radio. “Huge for the coach, for the team, hard worker, still productive going into Year 15, 16 — whatever it is.”

.@Saints Safety Justin Reid recently talked to us about what @CamJordan94 has meant to the franchise in New Orleans.

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— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) July 5, 2026

Of course, Brees is the name most people associate with the Saints. After 15 highly productive seasons and a return for his 16th, Jordan is now not far behind as a player who has defined the organization over the last decade-plus.

Having posted 11 sacks in 2025, Jordan remains capable of playing at an elite level. For a defense with a few veterans and many young players trying to establish roles, having someone with Jordan's experience in the building is crucial to the comfort level of newer players.

“But I think aside from his production on the field, which he still has a healthy engine running, he’s so good for the defensive line and the defense in general,” Reid said. “Just bringing that veteran leadership, that consistency, having a Hall of Fame guy in the locker room that guys can bounce questions off of.”

Jordan's presence gives younger defensive linemen a real-life example of what durability, preparation, and body preservation can look like over the course of a long NFL career. Chase Young, still just 27, has leaned on Jordan as he looks to revitalize his young career. For Bryan Bresee, Christen Miller, and Tyree Wilson, mimicking every step Jordan takes in the building will help them get even closer to where they want to be.

“They know what it looks like,” Reid said. “Hey, if I want to play this long, it looks like Cam Jordan. Do what he does.”

New Orleans signed Jordan to a one-year contract for the 2026 season, likely his final year. They still need him to contribute on the field every Sunday, but his leadership will also take the Saints to another level. Players recognize that — and Reid is among those who have come to deeply respect Jordan's career arc.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Justin Reid explains why Cameron Jordan means so much to the Saints