Veteran DE Heads to the NFC for 2023
Josh Frey
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Earlier this offseason, the Baltimore Ravens made headlines for non-Lamar Jackson reasons when they released veteran DE Calais Campbell. The six-time Pro Bowler and 2017 first-team All-Pro defender hit free agency in search of his fourth NFL team.
It appears that the search came to a conclusion on Wednesday as it was reported by Ian Rapoport that Campbell now intends to sign a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. This means that the veteran defensive lineman will play against the Minnesota Vikings in 2023.
Campbell, 36, certainly isn’t the dominant defender that he once was in the 2010s, but he can still impact a defense. During his final season in Baltimore, he recorded 36 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. This made him an intriguing free agency option for the Vikings as well, especially considering Minnesota had lost Dalvin Tomlinson earlier in free agency.
Instead, the former second-round pick now heads to Atlanta where he teams up with Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, and second-year pass-rusher Arnold Ebiketie. This quartet combined for 19 sacks last season, so there should be some serious pressure generated in Atlanta this season.
Overall, Campbell has played 15 NFL seasons, appearing in 227 games and recording 809 tackles, 165 tackles for loss, 99 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, and 3 defensive touchdowns. He will turn 37 years of age on September 1st.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.