Former All-Pro pass rusher Calais Campbell thought about retirement, but he is instead going to play an 18th NFL season with the team where he started his career.
Campbell has agreed to a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, the team confirmed Tuesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal is worth $5.5 million, with bonuses that could bring it up to $7.5 million.
Campbell had been seriously considering retirement, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Miami Dolphins were interested in bringing him back, as were the Baltimore Ravens, another of his former teams.
Instead, Campbell heads back to Arizona, where he played the first nine seasons of his NFL career. He established himself as a high-end pass rusher there, collecting 56.5 sacks in 138 games. He had his best seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before moving on to Baltimore and Miami.
Campbell can still rush the quarterback, as he tallied five sacks for Miami last season. The Dolphins loved him as a player and a mentor enough that coach Mike McDaniel personally stepped in to block him from being traded.
This may well be Campbell’s last season, as he turns 39 in September. Arizona is coming off an 8-9 season and is hoping to take another step forward in 2025. If their defense can benefit from his presence, the team may realistically contend for the playoffs.
