The Baltimore Ravens bolstered their defensive line by reuniting with veteran Calais Campbell this offseason. An NFL player reaching their 19th season is almost unheard of, especially for defensive linemen, which naturally leads to questions regarding how much longer Campbell can continue to play. This is a question Campbell must confront after the end of every season, and every year he gears up for what he believes will be his last ride.
“I always tell myself — and this year I feel it as strongly
as ever — that this is probably going to be my last year,” Campbell said at mandatory minicamp when asked if he would hang up the cleats after this season.
“I know I said that last year and the year before, but I genuinely meant it at the time,” he added. “I always tell myself to play well enough to be able to get a job again if I want to. If I go out there and perform to the level I want to play, I’m probably going to have to turn somebody down next year. That’s the ideal scenario.”
Campbell, who will turn 40 before the start of the season, still performed at a high level with the Arizona Cardinals in 2025. His 6.5 sacks last year would have been the most of any player on the Ravens, as Travis Jones led Baltimore with five.
Playing 19 seasons in the NFL is already a major accomplishment, but Campbell’s impressive longevity can be cemented in history this year. With just five more games played, Campbell will pass Jim Marshall for the most games played by an NFL defensive lineman.
“That is definitely a goal I don’t think I’ve ever had,” Campbell said. “I didn’t think about that as a kid; I just liked playing the game of football.” But he is not taking his shot at history for granted.
“Five games seems so light, but it’s not. That’s a lot of games you have to play,” he continued. “So hopefully, God willing, I can accomplish that, but I know in this business, that’s never a guarantee. I’m grateful for every day I get to play football, knowing that at any moment it can be taken away from me.”
