The Cardinals brought back Calais Campbell on Tuesday
Calais Campbell has been in the NFL for so long that he’s played more games against the St. Louis Rams than he has against the Los Angeles Rams. Now he’s going to add to his tally against L.A., as the Arizona Cardinals signed Campbell to a one-year deal on Tuesday.
Though he is 38, Campbell still packs a load on the defensive line.
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.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 1, 2025
In 20 career games against the Rams, Campbell has 12 sacks to go with 20 TFL and 26 QB hits. His teams are actually 13-7 against the Rams all-time.
The former second round pick out of Miami in 2008 has bounced around the league a little bit since 2017, but might feel most at home in Arizona albeit this time with another new regime. Campbell played for the Cardinals from 2008 to 2016, being named to the Pro Bowl twice and second team All-Pro twice.
He spent three years with the Jaguars, three with the Baltimore Ravens, one with the Falcons and one with the Dolphins. Last year in Miami, Campbell had 52 tackles, five sacks, and five batted passes.
Not many players had 5+ sacks and 5+ batted passes in 2024. For perspective, Maxx Crosby had 7.5 sacks and five batted passes. Campbell did it at 38.
The Cardinals really want to make us believe that they’re the sleeper team to watch in the NFC West and they’ve focused much of their efforts on rebuilding the front-seven for head coach/defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon:
- Signed Campbell
- Signed DT Dalvin Tomlinson
- Signed OLB Josh Sweat
- Signed LB Akeem Davis-Gaither and Mykal Walker
And they hold the 16th pick in a draft that is teeming with first round edge prospects.
Should the Rams fear the Cardinals? Maybe, maybe not. But nobody should underestimate Calais Campbell.
