Calais Campbell is extending his remarkable NFL journey for at least one more year, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens for his 19th season, according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. With his 40th birthday arriving on Sept. 1, Campbell is set to join rare company as only the third defensive lineman in league history to continue playing into his 40s, alongside Bruce Smith and Jim Marshall.
The longtime standout has built a career defined by longevity and consistency. After opening with nine seasons for the Cardinals, Campbell spent three years in Jacksonville before his previous stint in Baltimore from 2020 through 2022, where he earned a Pro Bowl selection in his first year with the franchise. He later played for Atlanta in 2023, Miami in 2024, and returned to Arizona last season.
Baltimore is bringing back a player it knows well, banking on both his experience and continued productivity as he approaches a historic milestone few defensive linemen have ever reached.
Strong production continues despite age
Campbell’s 2025 season with Arizona demonstrated that he remains an effective force on the field. Taking on a bigger workload than anticipated, he logged 643 total snaps, including 499 on defense, while producing 6.5 sacks. That total matched his best single-season sack output over the past seven years.
His overall performance was equally impressive, with Pro Football Focus ranking him No. 23 among 127 interior defensive linemen, particularly praising his run defense. Beyond statistics, his influence inside the locker room was recognized by Cardinals teammates, adding to a reputation built on leadership as much as production.
Campbell’s career accomplishments also include the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year honor and the 2023 Alan Page Community Award, reinforcing his value both on and off the field.
Building on a historic résumé
A six-time Pro Bowler, Campbell enters his latest season with 117 career sacks, a figure tied for 25th in NFL history. Among active players, only Von Miller, Cameron Jordan, and Myles Garrett have more. His unique physical presence at 6-foot-8 has also made him especially disruptive in passing lanes, with 65 passes defended since 1999 — the seventh-highest total by a defensive lineman during that span.
Campbell was ranked No. 63 on Pete Prisco’s list of the top 100 free agents this offseason, further proof that his value remains significant even at this stage of his career.
His return adds another chapter to one of football’s most enduring careers, as he continues to perform at a level that keeps him relevant nearly two decades after entering the league.
Ravens reinforce defensive front
Baltimore’s move for Campbell comes as the team continues reshaping its defensive front after finishing the 2025 season with the NFL’s second-lowest sack rate, ahead of only San Francisco. Following an unsuccessful pursuit of Maxx Crosby earlier in the offseason, the Ravens adjusted by signing Trey Hendrickson, the league’s sack leader in 2024.
The organization also invested in youth during the NFL Draft, selecting Missouri EDGE Zion Young in the second round while looking for further development from Mike Green, another second-round selection in 2025.
Inside, Campbell joins Travis Jones and John Jenkins, while Baltimore awaits the return of Nnamdi Madubuike, who is expected back after suffering a neck injury early in 2025. Campbell’s versatility and pass-rushing ability should provide key support at defensive end, whether lining up opposite or in place of Madubuike, while Baltimore hopes its upgraded front can generate far more pressure this season.