The Atlanta Falcons will sign defensive end Calais Campbell to a one-year deal, ESPN reported Wednesday, the latest move by the franchise to improve its defense.
After Atlanta’s season ended, Falcons coach Arthur Smith said the team needed to make additions to its defensive front. The team already changed its defensive coordinator this offseason, replacing Dean Pees, who retired, with Ryan Nielsen.
He also added safety Jessie Bates III, defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss in the early days of free agency.
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Calais Campbell of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before a game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Baltimore. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
In Campbell, the Falcons add a veteran defensive line room presence and another player with pass-rusher experience in defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Campbell’s 5 1/2 sacks last season would have ranked the Falcons second in 2022 and led the team in 2021.
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In addition to Campbell, Jarrett, Onyemata and Elliss, defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham, veteran linebacker Lorenzo Carter, and outside linebackers Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone (drafted in the first three rounds last season) round out the Los Angeles pass-rushers. Falcons.
The Baltimore Ravens had hoped to re-sign Campbell on a reduced salary later this offseason after waiving him on March 13 to get quarterback Lamar Jackson’s non-exclusive franchise tag for $32.4 million under the salary cap. . Baltimore created $7 million in much-needed cap space by firing Campbell, who had the fifth-highest salary cap figure ($9.44 million) on the team.
Calais Campbell poses for a photo after winning the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award during the NFL Honors at Symphony Hall on February 9, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Campbell announced at the Super Bowl in February that he planned to return for a 16th season. At 36, he is the oldest active defensive lineman in the NFL.
Campbell is coming off a revival season, but has had some durability issues recently, missing a total of nine games in the past three years. The Ravens could move Broderick Washington to Campbell’s starting job if they don’t address the void in free agency or the draft.
Calais Campbell (93) of the Jacksonville Jaguars after a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Mark Brown/Getty Images)
One reason for Campbell to return is to reach 100 career sacks. He has 99 sacks and acknowledged late in the season that the milestone «isn’t at the top of the list, but it’s something I really want.»
Selected in the second round in 2008, Campbell has recorded 809 tackles and 237 quarterback hits while playing with the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Ravens. He was a first-team All-Pro selection after the 2017 season, when he recorded a career-high 14½ sacks for the Jaguars and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
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Campbell has also been recognized as one of the classiest players in the league. Following last season, Campbell received the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which recognizes those who demonstrate integrity and honor on the field. In 2019, he was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.