It's hard to avoid the obvious question. It's been months, and it's still as impressive now as it was when we first heard the news. Calais Campbell is back. How does he keep doing this? He's rejoined the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal. Oh, and by the way, this doubles as his 19th NFL season.
Yes, you read that correctly - his 19th season. He was a second-round selection in 2008. It's been 18 years in what's supposed to be a young man's game, yet he's still doing his job better than most. He's one of the most important Ravens puzzle pieces. He has stated this is it, his finale. Year 19 will be his swan song, and here we are still asking the same question...
How on Planet Earth does he keep doing this (and doing it so well)?
Still stating the obvious... Calais Campbell's impact stretches beyond football games
Make no mistake.
The Ravens didn't bring back Campbell simply because he can still play. According to executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta (and pretty much everyone else), Campbell's value reaches far beyond his production on Sundays. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, DeCosta found a new way to share the same message, one that still hasn't gotten old. He explained why the Ravens were eager to reunite with the veteran defensive lineman after pursuing him multiple times in recent years.
DeCosta made it clear that Campbell's leadership, character, and influence inside the locker room were major factors in Baltimore's decision. This time, however, his story centered on how the Ravens had explored adding Campbell on several occasions before finally bringing him back.
"Calais is one of my favorites. I probably tried to sign him or trade for him about three or four different times over the last few years."
While Campbell remains a productive player, DeCosta believes his greatest contribution may come through the example he sets for teammates every day.
"Calais is a great player. He is a better person. He is amazing for everybody out here on the field. His leadership [and] his mentality every day... His humility is astounding to me, the way that he leads himself every single day, how he carries himself with his peers."
DeCosta also pointed to Campbell's ability to uplift those around him, especially after navigating personal adversity this year.
"He is the kind of guy that lifts people up. Those kind of players — they do not grow on trees... He is talented. He is a great person. He is an amazing leader, and he is a great community person. To me, he was a no-brainer. I wish I had 20 Calais' on the team."
Notice that last line. The general manager joked that if he had the choice, he would fill the roster with players cut from the same mold. The Ravens have assembled a roster loaded with veteran leaders, but Campbell appears to occupy a unique place in DeCosta's eyes.
Think about that. If anyone knows what leadership should look like, it's DeCosta. He has spent time around Ozzie Newsome, Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs. If he talks about leadership, we should all listen. For a franchise built on culture and leadership, that may be the strongest endorsement possible. Campbell was named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2019, one of pro football's most prestigious honors. Maybe that helps us answer the question we've been asking all along.
Campbell keeps doing this because his impact was never limited to sacks, tackles, or snap counts. Nearly two decades into his career, he's still valuable because he makes everyone around him better. The Ravens brought back a productive defensive lineman. What they may value even more is getting one of football's greatest leaders for one final season.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Eric DeCosta shares why signing Calais Campbell was a ‘no-brainer’
