New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan will become a free agent when the new league year begins next week, sources told ESPN. The 36-year-old franchise sack leader with 132 career sacks has played his entire NFL career with the Saints since being drafted in 2011.

Jordan's current contract will void automatically if a new deal isn't reached before the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Wednesday. If that happens, the Saints would absorb $18.76 million in dead money against their 2026 salary cap. The financial implications make his future with the team complex.

Jordan, who recorded 10.5 sacks last season after reworking his contract with performance incentives, has expressed his desire to finish his career in New Orleans. However, he indicated in January that he won't accept another discounted deal like last year's. The Saints must now decide whether to re-sign their defensive cornerstone at market value or potentially lose him to free agency.