Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars used a pair of draft picks to bolster their pass rush, it still appears to be a question mark heading into the 2026 NFL season. Sure, they have a pretty scary tandem in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, but the rotation behind them is somewhat unproven. This is why the Jags have been urged to add a veteran the past few months.
However, Jacksonville has one fewer option after Cameron Jordan just re-signed with the New Orleans Saints.
The Jaguars passed on the chance to sign Cameron Jordan
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the New Orleans Saints gave Cameron Jordan an incentive-based one-year deal to return to New Orleans. Other outlets have since confirmed the news.
Jordan is 36 but just registered 10.5 sacks last year. Perhaps because of his age, he didn't garner much interest when he became a free agent early in 2025. He made it clear that he wanted to return to the Saints, but the money had to be right. Even after waiting for a few months, the eight-time Pro Bowl nod remained unfazed. His patience paid off, as he now embarks on his16th season in The Big Easy.
With Jordan off the market, though, Jacksonville has fewer options to bolster its pass-rush rotation. Just the prior week, the Philadelphia Eagles locked up veteran AJ Epenesa, leaving Derek Barnett and Jadevon Clowney as the best available options.
Barnett has never logged more than 6.5 sacks in a season but posted five each of the past two years. On the other hand, Clowney is a stud against the run but has had a somewhat nomadic NFL career after his stint with the Seattle Seahawks. Both of them could help the Jaguars.
Another option may be to inquire about Kayvon Thibodeaux. He's entering the last year of his rookie deal, and the New York Giants haven't made it a priority to extend him. Maybe he could be available. Having said that, there's a reason the Jaguars have yet to make any additions to their pass rush, even if they should.
Why the Jaguars are steering clear from signing veteran pass rushers
Cameron Jordan would have given the Jaguars pass rush a massive boost. Derek Barnett and Jadevon Clowney could do it as well. But leaving aside the financial aspect of bringing in veterans, the team's brass is seemingly high in the group behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.
Jacksonville drafted Wesley Williams and Zach Durfee in Rounds 4 and 7, respectively. Both of them will compete for snaps on defense next season. Sophomore Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II, on the other hand, are expected to make a leap after making the 53-man roster as undrafted free agents last year. Ideally, one of them will separate himself from the bunch.
Second-year linebacker Jalen McLeod could also carve a niche as a standup pass rusher next season. He missed his rookie campaign with a lower-body injury but has turned heads in the offseason program.
Maybe if the Jaguars fail to see progress from their young pass rushers by training camp, they'll then decide to bring in a veteran. For the time being, though, don't expect them to add a veteran to the equation.
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