Calais Campbell

Cardinals’ Calais Campbell Anticipates Retiring After 2025 Season

August 14th, 2025 at 5:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

Retirement has been a talking point surrounding Calais Campbell for years now. The 2010s All-Decade Team member is set to play in 2025, but it could mark the end of the road in his case.

When asked on Thursday if the coming campaign will be his last, Campbell said (via Bleacher Report’s James Palmer), “I’d be very surprised if it’s not.” Nearing his 39th birthday, Campbell has given thought to retirement in the past, and he clarified his current stance on the matter is the same as it was last year (video link). Depending on how the 2025 season plays out, therefore, the decision to hang up his cleats could very well come next spring.

Campbell has continued to draw interest around the league even in the waning stages of his career. The former All-Pro spent 2024 with the Dolphins after a midseason trade sending him back to the Ravens fell through. Both Miami and Baltimore attempted to sign him in free agency this spring, but Campbell ultimately retuned to where his NFL tenure began by taking a deal with the Cardinals.

The six-time Pro Bowler spent his first nine seasons in Arizona, reaching the Super Bowl as a rookie and establishing himself as one of the league’s best (and most versatile) defensive linemen over the following years. A three-year stint with the Jaguars resulted in Campbell’s string of awards continuing, and he remained a full-time starter during a tenure of the same length in Baltimore. After a cost-shedding Ravens release, Campbell spent 2023 with the Falcons.

It was during that Atlanta campaign that Campbell surpassed 100 career sacks, a feat he repeatedly stated he wished to attain before retiring. The Miami alum returned to the location of his college career for 2024 and added another five sacks to his career total while logging over half of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps. A notable workload should again be in store with Arizona.

Campbell, 39 in September, has been able to delay retirement partly because of good health. The 261-game participant has mostly healthy in his NFL twilight years. Campbell did not miss a game during his Falcons and Dolphins one-off seasons. This has allowed the standout interior defender/kick-blocking presence to rise on the all-time sack list. Campbell sits 29th on the official sack list (1982-present), with 110.5. He is just 2.5 sacks away from the top 25, though the likes of T.J. Watt, Khalil Mack and Myles Garrett — each just behind Campbell — could vault the two-time Cardinal on the all-time list this season.

The Cardinals stood down along their defensive line during the first offseason after J.J. Watt‘s retirement and Zach Allen‘s Broncos defection, but they have made far more notable investments here over the past two years. They used a first-round pick on Darius Robinson in 2024 then spent their ’25 first-rounder on Walter Nolen. In addition to Campbell, Arizona added Dalvin Tomlinson to fortify its front this year.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Cardinals Tried To Trade For Calais Campbell In 2024; Team Eyeing Early-Round Defensive Help?

April 11th, 2025 at 3:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Calais Campbell will attempt to submit a Hall of Fame closing argument where his NFL career began, reuniting with the Cardinals last week. The decorated defensive lineman passed on Dolphins and Ravens offers to return to Arizona.

The Cardinals let Campbell walk in 2017, when he finished off the Jaguars’ “Sacksonville” D-line stable, but a new Arizona regime made an effort to bring him back into the fold last year. Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort attempted to reacquire Campbell via trade, the 38-year-old D-lineman said (via ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss). That moved the Cards back on Campbell’s radar, as he played out last season in Miami.

Baltimore also attempted to reacquire Campbell for the stretch run last season; Mike McDaniel played a lead role in nixing that. The Dolphins and Ravens extended offers, as the late-30-something defender has remained a healthy and productive player despite nearing retirement, but Campbell will help a new batch of Cards teammates attempt to continue an Ossenfort-Jonathan Gannon-era progression.

Only long snapper Aaron Brewer remains in place from Campbell’s previous Cardinals tenure, but he will join a new cast of front-seven pieces on a team that has made a stronger effort to fortify these areas this offseason. After no player topped six sacks following a 2023 offseason that featured the losses of J.J. Watt and Zach Allen, the Cardinals signed Josh Sweat and brought back 2024 trade acquisition Baron Browning. Sweat, Browning and BJ Ojulari join Zaven Collins on the edge. Campbell will team with 2024 first-rounder Darius Robinson up front, and more help may be coming early in the draft.

Multiple scouts informed ESPN.com’s Matt Miller a difference-maker on defense early in the draft is likely to be a priority. This strategy did not pay significant dividends in the recent past, with Haason Reddick (during most of his rookie deal), Isaiah Simmons and Collins not making big impacts upon being first-round Cardinal draftees. The Cards, however, took a major step forward under Gannon and Nick Rallis in Year 2 of this partnership, moving from 31st in points allowed in 2023 to 15th in ’24. This came without a reliable pass rush, something the team’s pre-draft visit schedule appears to be highlighting as an area the team is still interested in bolstering.

While the Cardinals could look to trade down due to having only six picks in this draft, the team should be expected to keep bolstering this unit. Although a wide receiver to complement Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride would make sense, the team is unlikely to stop at Sweat in terms of big-ticket defensive additions.

Elsewhere on the Cardinals’ cap sheet, the team’s latest Kelvin Beachum‘s one-year contract is worth $4MM, Cards Wire’s Howard Balzer notes. Heading into his sixth season with the club, the veteran swing tackle will receive $3.49MM guaranteed on his latest Cards agreement. Balzer adds Trey McBride‘s landmark extension features a key date in 2026. After two fully guaranteed base salaries, McBride will see $3MM of his $10.53MM 2027 base salary shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the ’26 league year.

Cardinals Reunite With DL Calais Campbell

April 2nd, 2025 at 4:52pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

APRIL 2: The Dolphins offered Campbell the third-most money of the teams pursuing him, per Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. The Ravens were also in the mix, but the Cardinals offered more bonus money and Campbell and his family preferred to return to Arizona.

APRIL 1: The Cardinals are signing six-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Calais Campbell to a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The signing, which was confirmed by Cardinals team reporter Darren Urban, will bring Campbell back to the team that originally drafted him. The 38-year-old is set to earn $5.5MM in 2025 with an additional $2MM available via incentives, according to Schefter and Rapoport.

Campbell entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent weighing retirement against a return to the field for his 18th season in the NFL. He had offers from the Dolphins and the Ravens, but chose to return to Arizona where he started his career as a second-round draft pick in 2008. All three options offered familiarity; Campbell spent his college career and the 2024 season in Miami, and he also played in Baltimore from 2020 to 2022. The Cardinals, however, are closer to Denver, where he was born and raised.

Campbell is the Cardinals’ second addition to their defensive line this offseason. They signed Dalvin Tomlinson in March to join Dante Stills and Bilal Nichols in the trenches. Campbell will give Arizona a four-man rotation to which they can still add via the draft.

Campbell’s departure leaves the Dolphins precariously thin along the interior of their defensive line. Zach Sieler and Benito Jones are the only returning starters from last year’s unit.. Neil Farrell and Matt Dickerson combined for just 11 appearances and 80 defensive snaps. That will likely force Miami to scour the league’s remaining free agents and invest in at least one defensive lineman in April’s draft, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

The new contract will bring Campbell’s career earnings over $150MM, per OverTheCap, the third-most of any defensive linemen in NFL history. He has remained an effective defender into his late-30s, with 17.0 sacks and 26 tackles for loss since 2022.

Dolphins Have Submitted Offer To Calais Campbell

March 18th, 2025 at 2:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

It was recently learned the Dolphins have made an offer to keep Emmanuel Ogbah in the fold. He is not the only veteran who could find himself remaining on Miami’s defensive front next season, though.

A standing offer is also in place for Calais Campbell, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. It remains to be seen if Campbell will play in 2025, but he said after the regular season ended he would contemplate doing so. The Dolphins inked the Hurricanes product to a one-year deal last offseason, and that signing proved to be worthwhile.

Campbell logged a 58% snap share in 2024 and he operated as a key figure along the D-line. The 2010s All-Decade Team member posted five sacks and 12 tackles for loss, showcasing his disruptive abilities against the run and pass even this deep into his career. Campbell will turn 39 in September, but he could still provide value to Miami or an interested team if he chooses to play next year.

Midway through the 2024 campaign, a trade agreement was in place to send Campbell back to the Ravens (after he played there from 2020-22). Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel vetoed the deal, though, and Campbell helped Miami remain in postseason contention through to Week 18. A scenario in which the six-time Pro Bowler was waived to allow him to join a playoff team was floated, although that did not take place. Now, the Dolphins await a decision from Campbell while making other free agent moves.

Miami ranked ninth against the run last season, and retaining Campbell could set the team up to repeat that success in 2025. In the event he were to turn down the Dolphins’ offer and depart in free agency, though, finding a replacement (likely through the draft) would become a key priority. With work still to be done to keep Ogbah in place as a veteran edge rush presence, it will be interesting to see if negotiations will take place in the near future in Campbell’s case.

AFC East Rumors: Van Pelt, Jets, Dolphins

January 15th, 2025 at 1:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Both the Giants and Vikings submitted viable offers to the Patriots for the No. 3 overall pick last year, with each NFC franchise eyeing Drake Maye. Each would have netted the Pats an additional second-rounder in last year’s draft and a first this year. New York’s proposal would have given New England this year’s third overall choice, but Maye now serves as the Pats’ franchise centerpiece. Ultimately, then-acting GM Eliot Wolf and ownership stayed and picked Maye. Though, there appeared to be some supporters of accepting a trade-down offer. At the time, it is believed OC Alex Van Pelt was among those who viewed the Pats’ roster as too deficient to pass on moving down, the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin notes.

While it may not be certain Mike Vrabel moves on from Van Pelt, the OC effectively confirmed this by telling friends he had been fired following the team’s Week 18 game. This came despite the organization being pleased with how he had helped develop Maye. Vrabel’s next play-caller’s chief assignment will be elevating Maye to another level in 2025.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

In December, Davante Adams was noncommittal about his Jets future. After all, the player responsible for him being traded to New York — Aaron Rodgers — appears on his way out. After the season, Adams did not confirm (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) he would be following Rodgers out the door, but he said staying with the team post-Rodgers would depend on a few factors. Adams’ Raiders-built contract runs through 2026. Allen Lazard was more enthusiastic about staying with the Jets. The lower-profile Rodgers come-with guy at receiver, Lazard went from being a healthy scratch at a point in 2023 to totaling 530 yards and six touchdowns this season. Lazard said (via Cimini) he wants to stay and later retire a Jet. Though, his four-year, $44MM contract would produce $11MM in savings if removed from the payroll via a post-June 1 release.
Calais Campbell said before season’s end he was not closing the door on playing an 18th NFL season, and the accomplished defensive lineman noted after the Dolphins‘ year wrapped (via ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques) that he will consider an age-39 slate. Campbell notched five sacks, and his 12 tackles for loss were his most since 2018. The Dolphins had him on their books for just $2MM this season, and after they nearly traded him back to the Ravens at the deadline, it stands to reason the Miami alum will look into landing with a contender soon.
Elsewhere on the Dolphins’ roster, both Jaelan Phillips and Austin Jackson are expected to be fine for the 2025 opener, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson tweets. Phillips, who suffered an Achilles tear in 2023 and a partially torn ACL this season, is going into his fifth-year option campaign. Jackson, who suffered a meniscus tear, is tied to a three-year, $36MM extension. Swing tackle Kendall Lamm is almost definitely set to depart in free agency, Jackson adds. The Dolphins’ Patrick Paul second-round draft choice had pointed the veteran elsewhere. That said, Grier said the Dolphins “are going to have to” invest in O-linemen this offseason. While the team has three higher-end tackle investments under contract, its interior situation is less solidified.
Staying with O-lines, Vrabel confirmed (via the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi) the Patriots‘ front will be a priority this offseason. This echoes a recent report that suggested OL and WR would be New England’s top target areas. The Pats struggled up front, with the loss of David Andrews and the left tackle carousel being among the issues. Vrabel leaned on the ground game in Tennessee, largely because of Derrick Henry‘s presence, but the Pats have by far the most cap space exiting the season. With questions existing just about everywhere outside of Michael Onwenu‘s presence (and even his position has fluctuated), allocating considerable resources up front seems likely as the Pats attempt to protect Maye.

DT Calais Campbell Could Go To Contender On Waivers If Miami Is Eliminated

December 20th, 2024 at 10:01pm CST by Ely Allen

At 38 years old, Calais Campbell is still playing as a focal point on defense in Miami. There was a chance that the team would trade him at the deadline, giving him an opportunity to return to Baltimore for the first time since 2022, but the trade was ultimately vetoed, seemingly guaranteeing he would finish the year as a Dolphin. Per Joseph Furones of the Sun Sentinel, Campbell confirmed recent rumors he may still find his way out of Miami on waivers.

Just prior to the trade deadline, a Ravens team who was desperate to improve a struggling defense made a number of stabs in the trade market, including offers for Campbell and veteran cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Tre’Davious White, the latter of which they successfully acquired. The Campbell-trade was reported to have fallen just short at the finish line, and it was later uncovered that head coach Mike McDaniel personally vetoed the deal that would’ve sent the six-time Pro Bowler back to Baltimore in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick.

Now, it appears that Campbell could still depart Miami, but this time, the Dolphins wouldn’t be receiving anything in return. In his conversation with Furones, Campbell indicated that, should Miami be eliminated from playoff contention — something the team is dangerously close to — Campbell could request to be waived, giving him an opportunity to sign with a contender and win his first Super Bowl.

The Dolphins are currently 6-8. If they win out, they could finish the season as high as the fifth seed in the AFC for the playoffs — a top wild card spot. Note that this would require the Broncos, Chargers, and Ravens to lose all of their remaining games. If the Dolphins win out and any of the other three wild card teams lose out, the Dolphins would secure a playoff spot. If Miami suffers one loss, though, in games against the 49ers, at the Browns, and at the Jets, that would be enough to eliminate them from playoff contention.

There’s no deadline on when a player can be waived, so if any of the above matchups result in a loss, Campbell could be cut lose, and should he pass through waivers unclaimed, he would be able to sign wherever he chooses. It’s assumed he would want to sign with a contender. This could mean that he’ll chase after a roster spot with one of the division-leaders of the AFC in Kansas City, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, or Houston. He could also head back to the NFC in favor of the Eagles, Lions, or Vikings, especially considering how thin Detroit’s defensive line has been spread due to injuries.

More likely, though, Campbell may choose a contender with whom he has a history. This leaves the door open for a potential return to the Ravens, a team that would likely still embrace him with open arms. Only time will tell. The job is not finished in Miami. Though a playoff spot seems like a long shot for the Dolphins, it’s still within reach. One more win by the Broncos, Chargers, and Ravens or one more loss by the Dolphins will eliminate that possibility, but it would also create the potential to open the door for Campbell to win a championship, nonetheless.

Dolphins Rumors: Chubb, Campbell, Minority Ownership

December 13th, 2024 at 9:19pm CST by Ely Allen

Dolphins veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb has been quiet since opening the season on the team’s reserve/physically unable to perform list. We all knew it would be difficult for him to make a return in the 2024 season after suffering a torn ACL in a New Year’s Eve blowout loss, but we perhaps didn’t get the full story.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Chubb not only tore his ACL but his meniscus and patellar tendon, as well. He’s been rehabbing in order to make a comeback within the calendar year, and though his practice window was opened last week, it doesn’t appear he’s ready quite yet. Per Jackson, head coach Mike McDaniel expects Chubb to be ready for a Week 16 return.

Here are a couple other rumors coming out of Miami:

Defensive lineman Calais Campbell may be 38 years old, but Father Time has not kept him from being a premier defender in the NFL. We’ve already heard that the Ravens made a late push at the trade deadline to bring him back to Baltimore, but according to Zak Keefer of The Athletic, five other teams reached out, as well. We already reported that Baltimore attempted to send a 2026 fifth-rounder for Campbell, but one team was willing to up the offer to a fourth-round pick, given a later-round pick in return — a flattering offer for such an aged veteran.
Back in October, we reported on the potential sale of a minority stake in the works for Miami. According to a team announcement, the minority, non-controlling interest sale was approved by the NFL at this week’s league meeting. The deal sends a 10 percent total stake in the Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, and the Miami Grand Prix to private equity firm Ares Management and a three percent stake to Joe Tsai, owner of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA’s New York Liberty.

Mike McDaniel Vetoed Dolphins-Ravens Calais Campbell Trade

November 24th, 2024 at 12:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens made a pair of moves leading up to the trade deadline. Wideout Diontae Johnson was added in a deal with the Panthers, one which was followed up by the acquisition of cornerback Tre’Davious White from the Rams. Baltimore’s efforts also included the pursuit of a familiar face along the D-line.

The Ravens and Dolphins discussed a Calais Campbell trade, but it ultimately did not go through. The reason why has now become clear: Miami head coach Mike McDaniel stepped in to keep the veteran in place. It was McDaniel’s actions (which included a face-to-face conversation with Campbell himself) that prevented the trade from taking place, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Remaining was Campbell’s preference, Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald adds.

At one point, many – including the former Walter Payton Man of the Year winner – believed a deal would be consummated. If that had been the case, Campbell would have returned to Baltimore after he spent three seasons there from 2020-22. During that time, the 38-year-old was a mainstay along the D-line in addition to providing leadership qualities; replicating that in 2024 would have provided a boost along the defensive front to the Ravens down the stretch. Rapoport notes the trade would have seen a 2026 fifth-round pick head the other way.

Instead, Campbell remained in Miami (where he played in college) past the deadline. He has helped lead the Dolphins to two straight wins entering Sunday’s action, giving the team a 4-6 record. Continuing that momentum will be key if a postseason push is to be possible over the coming weeks. Miami ranks 10th against the run, a sign of Campbell’s continued effectiveness during the waning stages of his career.

As a pending free agent, he would have represented a valuable rental addition on the part of the Ravens as part of their own aim to make a deep postseason run. Campbell would have factored into a defensive line rotation including Nnamdi Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington and Brent Urban. Especially considering the injuries that unit has dealt with in 2024, having Campbell available as at least a depth option would have been welcomed. Baltimore’s secondary has been a sore spot this year, but the team has exceled against the run even without him.

Campbell has started all 10 of his appearances in 2024, his first season as a Dolphin. With a 58% defensive snap share, he has handled a notable workload in Miami, and that should be expected to continue down the stretch (although Kelly notes the team has given thought to waiving him later in the campaign if the playoffs become out of reach). Retirement could again receive consideration after the season, but if he elects to continue playing Campbell could elect to re-sign with Miami in part due to McDaniel’s commitment to keeping him in place beyond the deadline.

Ravens Trade For Calais Campbell Fell Short

November 9th, 2024 at 10:18pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens were especially aggressive at the trade deadline as they looked to improve their defense. The team made an aggressive bid for Marshon Lattimore before landing Tre’Davious White from the Rams. If the front office had their way, they also would have reunited with an old friend.

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Ravens were close to completing a trade with the Dolphins for defensive tackle Calais Campbell. However, the deal ultimately fell apart at the last minute.

The veteran defensive lineman had a three-year stint in Baltimore between 2020 and 2022, starting 40 of his 41 appearances. Over that span, he collected 11 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 36 QB hits, and he got into another three playoff games for the organization. Campbell was cut by the team at the end of the 2022 campaign and caught on with the Falcons, where he spent one season.

The 38-year-old joined the Dolphins this past offseason and has started all eight of his appearances for his new squad, collecting 28 tackles and two sacks. Despite getting up there in age, Campbell still ranks fourth on Pro Football Focus’ rankings of interior defensive lineman, an improvement from his 23rd-place showing in 2023. The Ravens could have used some DL depth with Michael Pierce sitting on injured reserve and Brent Urban dealing with a concussion.

As for the trade they did make, Breer notes that White agreed to remove all playing-time incentives to help facilitate a trade to Baltimore.

Ravens Offered Third-Round Pick For Marshon Lattimore

November 8th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Ely Allen

The Ravens’ trade deadline moves were a bit anticlimactic, especially considering that Baltimore is thought to be a contender in a championship window who should be receiving the full allotment of compensatory draft picks in 2025. It appears that the Ravens’ lackluster result wasn’t necessarily for lack of trying, as Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that Baltimore put in an offer to trade for former Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

According to Breer, the Ravens offered up a third-round pick for the veteran cornerback. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports adds that this was initially a battle of the AFC’s top contenders as the Chiefs and Ravens each attempted to acquire Lattimore, but Washington, a blooming contender in their own right, swooped in at the final moment to outbid them.

Per Schultz, the Commanders saw their extensive draft capital in the upcoming offseason and their top-four cap space for 2025 and decided to acquire Lattimore as another building block for the next few seasons. Breer reports that Lattimore initially wasn’t even being made available. It wasn’t until former head coach Dennis Allen got fired that the Saints started hearing out offers on the defender.

He adds that Lattimore wasn’t the only Ravens trade target for whom the team fell short. Breer relays that Baltimore also was on the homestretch to reacquire defensive lineman Calais Campbell from the Dolphins. The aging veteran spent three years with the Ravens from 2020-22, making a Pro Bowl (the sixth of his career) during his time with the team. In eight games in Miami this year, Campbell hasn’t really shown his usual production but still could’ve been a crucial addition to a Ravens defensive line that applies plenty of pressure but often struggles to finish.

Instead, the Ravens held on to their likely 11 draft picks for 2025 (seven rounds plus four compensatory picks), acquiring wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Panthers for a 2025 late-round pick swap and oft-injured veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White and the Rams 2027 seventh-round pick for a seventh- of their own in 2026.

One of the league’s more consistent franchises when it comes to the draft, those 11 picks can be crucial for the future, but it’s likely frustrating for fans who watch the team’s 32nd-ranked pass defense and who realize just how quickly championship windows can close.

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