Cardinals Bring Back Calais Campbell, Veteran Defensive End returns to Arizona
TEMPE, AZ - Calais Campbell is returning to the Arizona Cardinals after nine years, agreeing to a deal announced today. The veteran defensive end,who previously played for the Cardinals from 2008-2016,cited a sense of familiarity and a logical fit as key factors in his decision.
CampbellS initial run with Arizona saw him develop into a consistent force on the defensive line. While the 2016 season,where the Cardinals finished 7-8-1,was considered disappointing as a team,Campbell excelled individually,recording eight sacks,three fumble recoveries,and six pass deflections,earning him second-team AP All-Pro honors. He woudl go on to achieve 14 sacks the following season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but maintains that 2016 in Arizona was the best of his career.
“That ’16 season set him up for the success he’s having now,because he took his work level to the next level,” said former Cardinals defensive line coach Brent Rucker.
Campbell credits former Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians with pushing him to reach his full potential. arians was known for publicly challenging Campbell,a tactic the player embraced. “I don’t remember what game it was, but someone asked about my game.And he was like, ‘Well, he played good today but there are times when I don’t notice him on the field,'” Campbell recalled. “I’m like, ‘Damn.’ But from that moment on, I made sure every time I played, I made my presence felt. Which is what his goal was. It made me a better player.”
Following the 2016 season, the cardinals, having drafted Robert Nkemdiche in the first round, informed Campbell they were unlikely to match potential offers in free agency. Owner Michael Bidwill conveyed this to Campbell directly. “He sat me down, (and said) ‘I really love you, think you are a phenomenal player, I have to listen to my advisers,'” Campbell recalled. “‘We feel you are going to get top dollar offers in FA and I don’t know if we can compete with what we are spending at that position.'”
Campbell ultimately signed with Jacksonville, hoping for a similar commitment from Arizona as Larry Fitzgerald had received, stating, “I think I was hoping for the Larry Fitzgerald treatment, you know, no matter what the cost we will keep you. But Larry is different. He’s a different level.” He added that leaving for Jacksonville, where he played as a true defensive end for the first time, proved to be a pivotal move in his career.
Now, after stints with the Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and most recently the Atlanta Falcons, Campbell returns to the Cardinals, believing the prospect “made sense” for both parties. Details of the contract were not immediately disclosed.
