NFL

Calais Campbell Ends Retirement Talks, Signs With Cardinals

Dan Girolamo Sports Editor

Published01 Apr 2025

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Calais Campbell is not leaving the NFL just yet. Campbell has agreed to a contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Calais Campbell Signs With Cardinals

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. pic.twitter.com/eBoNmgR2xC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 1, 2025

Campbell is coming home.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Campbell is signing a one-year contract with the Cardinals worth $5.5 million. The deal has a maximum value of $7.5 million.

Campbell, 38, was contemplating retirement, but the veteran defensive lineman has elected to play his 18th season in the NFL.

It’s a homecoming for Campbell, who returns to the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Campbell played with the Cardinals from 2008 to 2016, making two Pro Bowls (2014-2015) and garnering two second-team All-Pro selections (2014, 2016).

Campbell then played with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-2019), Baltimore Ravens (2020-2022), Atlanta Falcons (2023), and Miami Dolphins (2024).

Throughout his career, Campbell has been an ironman, starting 242 of the 261 games he’s played. Campbell has 917 tackles, 110.5 sacks, 18 forced fumbles, and 13 fumble recoveries.

Campbell’s impressive list of accomplishments includes six Pro Bowls (2014, 2015, 2017-2020), one first-team All-Pro selection (2017), two second-team All-Pro selections (2014, 2016), a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, and the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

Though not an every-down player, Campbell is still productive on the field. Campbell recorded 52 tackles and five sacks in 17 games with the Dolphins last season.