The Vikings’ Missed Opportunity
Quite possibly, the Vikings’ top decision makers looked into the possibility before learning that it wasn’t that: a realistic possibility. Even still, it’s fair to wonder about the team losing out on defensive lineman Calais Campbell.
Check out the word from ESPN’s Adam Schefter: “ESPN sources: Six-time Pro-Bowl defensive lineman Calais Campbell is finalizing a one-year deal to return to the Arizona Cardinals. Campbell was the Cardinals’ 2008 second-round pick, played in Arizona until 2016, and now will return there for his 18th NFL season.”
The Vikings’ D-Line & The Upside of Calais Campbell
The offseason has featured the Minnesota Vikings making it a huge priority to improve the defensive line. Doing so hasn’t come cheap.
Brought aboard are Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, a pair of veterans who have well-earned reputations as disruptive defensive tackles. Each, when healthy, can be a menace when pursuing the quarterback. The former hopped over to the Twin Cities for a three-year deal sitting at $51 million while the latter agreed to a two-year deal sitting at a total of $30 million.
Maybe the appeal of returning to Arizona was simply too appealing to Calais Campbell (the word on social media is that both sides are happy about a reunion). Maybe the Vikings picked up the phone and asked about interest only to be rebuffed due to the veteran’s desire to go back to the desert (Minnesota’s winter tundra certainly contrasts with the climate that the Cardinals operate in).
One does still wonder, though, about the potential of him becoming a Viking, especially since the team’s veteran additions this offseason have been so outspoken about the appeal of playing for a franchise like the Vikings.
In 2024, Calais Campbell was a Dolphin. Starting all seventeen games, Mr. Campbell put up an impressive array of statistics. He snagged 52 tackles, 5 sacks, 12 QB hits, 12 tackles for loss, 5 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble.
Even at 38, Calais Campbell can still get the job done like few others. PFF gave him a very impressive 82.3 grade, further suggesting he yet again put together a wonderful season.
Over these past couple seasons, Campbell has been operating on single-season deals with a modest cap charge. He played for the Falcons in 2023, taking a $7,500,000 bite out of the cap. The 2024 season saw him account for just $3,125,000 within Miami’s budget. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is a GM who places a high value on value and he was clearly looking for help along the iDL, so the idea of the Vikings pursuing Calais Campbell made at least some sense.
What was the cost to land the defender for 2025? Tom Pelissero came through with the details: “Compensation update: The #Cardinals are bringing back Calais Campbell on a one-year, $5.5 million deal with a max value of $7.5M, per source. Still playing, and making money, at age 38.”
The 6’8″ defender will be putting in work for Arizona for pretty cheap. If Minnesota and Arizona get into the postseason — they aren’t scheduled to play in the regular season — the Vikings may need to come up with a solution for the future Hall of Fame defender.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on social media (Bluesky & Twitter). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.