The Miami Dolphins bolstered their pass rush with veteran Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the two sides agreed to a one-year deal.
Campbell, who turns 38 in September, reportedly contemplated retirement after the 2023 season. However, an opportunity to play for the Dolphins was too good to pass, and he will now return for his 17th NFL season.
Signing with the Dolphins is somewhat of a homecoming for Campbell, as he spent his college career with the University of Miami. He was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and later also played with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens.
Campbell, who has six Pro Bowls to his name, spent the last season with the Atlanta Falcons, starting all 17 games and contributing with 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one safety.
Campbell is the latest pass rusher to join the Dolphins this offseason. The franchise previously signed two-time Pro Bowler Shaq Barrett in free agency while drafting linebackers Chop Robinson and Mo Kamara.
Miami doubling down on pass rush shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering that the team’s top pass rushers, Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, are both returning from season-ending injuries. Phillips tore his ACL, while Chubb suffered an ACL injury during the 2023 season. The duo is expected to be back on the field in 2024, but the exact timeline for their return remains under wraps.
