Cardinals bring back Calais Campbell

Calais Campbell (Bigmanclay04, Wikimedia Commons)

The Arizona Cardinals are bringing back defensive end Calais Campbell of Denver, Colorado to the organization according to Rogers Sportsnet on Tuesday. He previously played nine seasons with the Cardinals from 2008 to 2016. The terms of the contract are one year, and $5.5 million. With incentives, Campbell can make $7.5 million.

Since Campbell was last with the Cardinals in 2016, he has been with four other National Football League organizations. Campbell was with the Jacksonville Jaguars for three seasons from 2017 to 2019, with the Baltimore Ravens for three seasons from 2020 to 2022, the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, and the Miami Dolphins in 2024.

Campbell is a six-time Pro Bowler. He was honoured while with the Cardinals (2014 and 2015). the Jaguars for all three seasons Campbell was in Jacksonville (2017 to 2019), and his first season in Baltimore (2020).  In 2017, Campbell was the runner-up for the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year. He finished only behind Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In 2024 with the Dolphins, Campbell started all 17 games. He had 52 combined tackles (35 solo tackles and 17 assisted tackles). Campbell had 12 tackles for a loss, 12 quarterback hits, five pass deflections, five sacks and one forced fumble. Ironically, the forced fumble came in a narrow 28-27 Dolphins loss to the Cardinals on October 27.

Even though Campbell is still defending at a high level from a statistical perspective, there is obviously a genuine concern with Campbell’s age. He is currently 38 years old and will be 39 years old when the season starts. Do not be surprised that Campbell takes on more of a mentorship role in Phoenix this season.