Calais Campbell, one of the NFL’s enduring figures, is set to continue his remarkable career by signing a one-year contract with the Ravens, marking his 19th season in the league, according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
As he approaches his 40th birthday on September 1, Campbell is poised to join an elite group of defensive linemen who have played into their 40s, a feat achieved previously only by legendary players Bruce Smith and Jim Marshall.
Throughout his career, Campbell has demonstrated impressive longevity and performance. The Ravens are well-acquainted with his capabilities, having benefitted from his time in Baltimore from 2020 to 2022, including a Pro Bowl appearance in 2020. Before this, he spent nine years with the Cardinals, followed by three seasons with the Jaguars. More recently, he played for the Falcons in 2023, the Dolphins in 2024, and made a return to the Cardinals last season.
Last year, Campbell delivered a standout performance for Arizona, taking on a significant role with 643 snaps, 499 of which were on defense. He matched his best sack total in seven years, achieving 6.5 sacks, and was ranked as the 23rd best interior defensive lineman by Pro Football Focus out of 127, receiving high praise for his run defense.
His influence extends beyond the field, as noted by ESPN, which highlighted the impact of his leadership among Cardinals teammates. Campbell’s community contributions have been recognized with the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year award and the 2023 Alan Page Community Award.
This offseason, Campbell was ranked No. 63 on Pete Prisco’s list of the top 100 free agents.
Campbell’s 117 career sacks are tied for 25th all-time and are fourth-most among active players, only behind Von Miller, Cameron Jordan and Myles Garrett. At 6-foot-8, Campbell is also one of the game’s best at knocking down passes when he can’t get to the quarterback; his 65 career passes defended are seventh-most by a defensive lineman since 1999, when the stat began.
A six-time Pro Bowler, Campbell is just a few years younger than his new coach, 42-year-old Jesse Minter, and nearly a decade older than Baltimore’s new offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle.
But he’s still getting it done on the field, and he should be helpful for the Ravens, who continue to infuse their defensive line and EDGE units with talent. After the Maxx Crosby trade fell through earlier this offseason, Baltimore pivoted and signed star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, the 2024 NFL sack leader. In the NFL Draft, the Ravens took Missouri product Zion Young, a physical EDGE who should be able to contribute early, in the second round. Baltimore is also hoping to see progress from Mike Green, a 2025 second-round pick.
On the interior, Campbell joins stout nose tackle Travis Jones and run stuffer John Jenkins. The biggest question for Baltimore up front is the status of Nnamdi Madubuike, a standout in 2023 and 2024 who suffered a neck injury early in 2025. He is expected to return this season, per ESPN. Campbell should add some more pass-rushing to the defensive end spot, either in place of or opposite Madubuike, while Hendrickson, Young and Green take advantage from the edge.
The Ravens finished 2025 with the second-worst sack rate in the NFL, behind only the 49ers.
