Cam Jordan took his time.
He signed autographs, posed for photos, mustered something akin to a smile while he shook hands and warmed hearts with his never-ending generosity as he departed the field at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday.
"Yeah, I did," Jordan said, when asked if he extended his exit. "You never know what's going to happen. As much as I feel like my play says I can play another three, four more years – two, three, whatever it is – I don't know what's going to happen in the future. So I'm going to take care of the people that have always taken care of me."
The 14-year defensive end didn't know if a 25-10 loss to the Raiders, which dropped the Saints' record to 5-11, represented the final time he'd be in the Superdome wearing a No. 94 jersey as a member of New Orleans' roster, but reiterated again that he believes he has much more to give. And he showed, again, what he's capable of.
Jordan finished with three tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit and was a crucial factor in helping the defense force a Las Vegas field goal attempt in the first quarter.
With the Raiders facing first-and-goal from the one, after defensive end Carl Granderson and linebacker Demario Davis combined for a no-gain tackle on first down, Jordan and Davis joined for a 2-yard tackle for loss on second down, and Jordan produced a sack for minus-10 on third down to force the field goal.
Aidan O'Connell became the 49th quarterback that Jordan has sacked in his NFL career, and he raised his franchise-leading total to 121.5 sacks. Jordan, one of the most decorated and productive defensive players in franchise history, has four sacks this season.
All of his sacks this season occurred in the last seven games, after Darren Rizzi was named interim head coach and pass rush specialist Brian Young had his defensive line duties expanded, and Jordan received the increased snaps he'd lobbied for. He also played less at defensive tackle and more at defensive end.
"You turn on the tape, you tell me," he said, when asked what he'd shown since the coaching change. "It's not like we've heard anything different.
"All I can do is put my best foot forward. I've always been consistent in how I approach work and how much I love this game, and until my love runs out for the game I'm going to keep on going."
The 35-year-old – a three-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler – has a year remaining on his contract.
The disappointment from this year's ledger was evident.
"I thought we'd be heading to the playoffs; I was clearly wrong. I thought I was going to be rushing from the edge; I was clearly wrong," he said. "So, all I can do is be an ultimate soldier, ultimate warrior and rally my guys, talk to my guys, try and lead my guys however best I can.
"This entire year, whatever role was given to me I tried to fully embrace it. I want the Black and Gold to be successful, whatever it takes. Here we are, 5-11 – doesn't feel like…we clearly had a lot of things to overcome.
"There's a lot of excuses we can make, (but) at the end of the day we were not good enough this year, and that hurts as a player, that hurts as a fan of the game, that hurts as somebody who's in love with the Black and Gold. Honestly, the city of New Orleans – especially with the Super Bowl being here – I just feel like it deserved more."
