Cameron Jordan states revenge game Saints 'have to win'

There seem to be more revenge games than ever during the 2024 NFL season, thanks to another active offseason.

When the schedule was announced last week, Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan was tuning in, and one game immediately jumped out — Week 7 vs. the Denver Broncos.

"It's not like I've circled it on a calendar and marked it down, but it feels like we have to win that game," Jordan said via NewOrleans.Football. "Everybody knows who Sean Payton is. Can't let him. Can't let him do that one."

Head coach Sean Payton's first trip back to New Orleans since leaving the Saints after the 2021 season will be in Week 7. This will also be Jordan's first time going against his former head coach, whom he spent his first 11 seasons playing for.

Payton announced his retirement from coaching in January 2022, but just one year later, he interviewed for head coach vacancies with the Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Texans, ultimately landing in Denver.

Since he was still under contract with New Orleans, the Broncos sent the Saints their 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick in exchange for Payton and a 2024 third-round pick.

Payton's first year with the Broncos didn't go as planned, finishing the season with an 8-9 record and missing the playoffs. However, he has quickly put his touches on the team, parting ways with quarterback Russell Wilson and using the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on former Oregon QB Bo Nix.

New Orleans' 2023 season didn't end how it likely imagined, either, with a 9-8 record and a missed postseason.

So both teams have much to prove this season and will have a little extra motivation come Week 7 in a much-anticipated revenge game on "Thursday Night Football."