Michael RothsteinESPN Staff Writer8:28 AM ET2 Minute Read
The Atlanta Falcons will sign Calais Campbell on the defensive end to a one-year deal, a source confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday, the franchise’s latest move to improve its defense.
After Atlanta’s season ended, Falcons coach Arthur Smith said the team needed to expand its defensive line. This off-season has already seen a change of coordinator, replacing Dean Pees, who retired, with Ryan Nielsen. It also added safety Jessie Bates III, defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss in the early days of free agency.
In Campbell, however, the Falcons are adding a veteran defensive-line space and another player with pass-rushing experience alongside Grady Jarrett. Campbell’s 5.5 sacks last season would have finished second with the Falcons in 2022 and led the team in 2021.
Along with 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 Falcons’ pass-rushing group .
The Ravens had hopes of re-signing Campbell later this offseason on a reduced salary after cutting him March 13 to include quarterback Lamar Jackson’s $32.416 million non-exclusive franchise tag under the get a salary cap. Baltimore created $7 million in much-needed cap space by cutting Campbell, who had the fifth-highest cap count ($9.44 million) on the team.
Campbell announced at the Super Bowl in February that he plans to return in his 16th season. At 36, he is the NFL’s oldest active defenseman.
Campbell has had a resurgent season but has had some durability issues lately, missing a total of nine games in the past three years. The Ravens could put Broderick Washington in Campbell’s starting spot if they don’t address the gap in the free hand or draft.
One of the reasons for Campbell’s return is reaching 100 career sacks. He currently has 99 sacks and at the end of the season he conceded that the milestone “isn’t high on the list but it’s something I really want”.
Campbell was a second-round pick in 2008 and has 809 tackles and 237 quarterback hits while playing with the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Ravens. He was voted a first-team All-Pro after the 2017 season when he recorded a career-best 14.5 sacks for the Jaguars and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year polls.
Campbell was also recognized as one of the classiest players in the league. After that season, Campbell received the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which recognizes those who show integrity and honor on the field. In 2019 he was named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
NFL Network first reported that Campbell would be signing with the Falcons.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.