Cameron Jordan Converts Roster Bonus to Signing; Saves Saints $4.8 million

Cameron Jordan has restructured his contract, per ESPN, converting his $6 million roster bonus to a signing bonus.  The move saves the Saints $4.8 million for 2016, in addition to costing $1.2 million for the remaining years of his contract.  Jordan's 2016 cap hit is now sitting at $8 million.

Jordan is under contract until 2020 after signing a 5 year extension last season, and was the only Saint to record double digit sacks in 2015.

Jordan's hit was initially $3.5 million plus the $6 million roster bonus.  The move puts the Saints at slightly under $149 million in spending, which is an estimated $5 to $6 million under the salary cap.

Last season, Jordan recorded 46 tackles and 10 sacks.  He also recovered two fumbles and forced one.  In arguably his best year, 2013, Jordan recorded 46 tackles, 12.5 sacks and forced/recovered two fumbles as the Saints ended up 4th in the league on defense.  On a defense struggled all of last year, Jordan commanded respect.

The Saints' only Pro Bowl participant was left alone on the line after Junior Galette's antics got him ousted from New Orleans and, despite flashes, Hau'oli Kikaha largely struggled for the Saints as an edge rusher.

Since being drafted by the Saints in the first round in 2011, Jordan has remained a loyal Saint, and the captain of the defense.  He has started every game of his career save for just one in his rookie season, racked up 241 tackles, 39 sacks, 21 passes defended and he's forced 6 fumbles.  All of this in addition to his consistent willingness to work with the Saints' front office has made Jordan a fan favorite in New Orleans.

This move comes at the tail end of several Saints' salary cap moves, including Dannell Ellerbe's restructure, David Hawthorne and Jahri Evans's cuts, and it comes prior to a presumed extension for Drew Brees (a move which may or may not affect the Saints' cap depending on whether it gets done by March 9).