The Saints have exercised their fifth-year option on Cameron Jordan, keeping him under team control through the 2015 season, reports Field Yates of ESPN Boston (via Twitter). Like J.J. Watt, Muhammad Wilkerson, and other 2011 first-round defensive ends picked outside the top 10, Jordan will be in line for a ’15 salary of $6.969MM.
Jordan, 24, earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2013, setting a career-high with 12.5 sacks and adding two forced fumbles and a pair of recoveries. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) graded Jordan as the league’s fourth-best 3-4 defensive end last season, ranking behind only Watt as a pass rusher.
Jordan will earn a base salary of about $1.43MM in 2014 before seeing a bump in pay for 2015. He and the Saints could also work out a longer-term arrangement at any time.
You can follow this year’s fifth-year option decisions right here.