New Orleans swapped linebacker Chris Bordano for defensive…
New Orleans swapped linebacker Chris Bordano for defensive back Kevin Mathis on April 26, 2000. Mathis went on to play 115 NFL games and intercepted 11 passes, while Bordano’s career ended after 33 games and he did not become a Dallas regular. The Saints gained the more durable and productive player without adding draft capital, giving New Orleans the clear edge.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player Chris Bordano
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Kevin Mathis
Trade Analysis
Why New Orleans Made the Swap
The Saints exchanged a linebacker they had drafted in 1998 for a defensive back who already had three NFL seasons behind him. Chris Bordano had started 18 games for New Orleans, but Kevin Mathis offered more versatility in the secondary and on special teams. With no draft choice involved, the deal was a direct player-for-player comparison, so the long-term value comes down largely to which player continued to contribute after the exchange.
What Kevin Mathis Became
Mathis built the stronger career by a wide margin. He played 115 NFL games, started extensively during his career and recorded 11 interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. His career extended through 2006. That longevity matters in a low-cost trade: New Orleans acquired an established defensive back who remained useful for years rather than simply taking a short-term flier on a marginal roster piece.
How Dallas’s Return Fell Short
Bordano had been productive enough to start 12 games for New Orleans in 1999, but the trade did not create meaningful value for Dallas. His NFL career ended in 2000 after two appearances with Atlanta, and he never became a Cowboys regular. Dallas therefore surrendered the player who would have the longer and more productive post-trade career while receiving no lasting on-field return from Bordano.
Final Verdict
New Orleans Saints Win. The Saints earn a B because Mathis delivered useful NFL longevity and defensive production for the cost of a player whose career was nearly over. Dallas receives a D+ because Bordano did not provide a comparable return. This was not a franchise-changing deal, but the difference in games played, defensive production and staying power makes New Orleans the clear winner.