Calais Campbell career timeline: Full history of teams played, from Cardinals stardom to return to Ravens

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Calais Campbell has been an active defensive presence for a while now, and his career will continue after signing a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens on April 30, per Adam Schefter.

Campbell currently has the second-longest career in NFL history for a defensive lineman, according to Statmuse. Along with that, he is the longest-active defensive player in the league.

The defensive menace out of the University of Miami is best known for breaking onto the seam with the Arizona Cardinals to start his career. He also played a large part in the Jacksonville Jaguars' surprise run to the AFC Championship Game in 2017.

Here is a look at Campbell's career thus far as he enters his 19th season in the NFL with a reunion in Baltimore.

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Calais Campbell teams timeline

Arizona Cardinals (2008-2016)

Campbell began his career in Arizona in 2008 after being selected at No. 50 in the second round. Coming out of Miami, Campbell slipped out of the first round after being touted as a first-round talent by many draft analysts.

While the defensive end did not start a game during his rookie year, his team did make it to Super Bowl 43, and he recorded two combined tackles in the narrow 27-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After Antonio Smith left Arizona in free agency, Campbell became a starter for the 2009 season.  

In 2014, Campbell earned his first Pro Bowl nod after a seven-sack and 58-tackle season with the Cardinals. The following year, when he accumulated five sacks and 61 total tackles, Campbell played in his second-straight Pro Bowl. After one more strong season in Arizona, he departed from the team in free agency.

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Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-2019)

After signing with the Jaguars in free agency, Campbell immediately rose to the occasion and made an immediate impact. He was a part of the stellar defensive unit that led Jacksonville to a surprising AFC Championship Game appearance when they lost 24-20 to the New England Patriots.

After the season, Campbell earned his third Pro Bowl nod in four seasons and his first All-Pro team. He accumulated a career high of 14.5 sacks in 2017, along with 67 total tackles. The defensive end also finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, which was won by Aaron Donald.

While the Jaguars never returned to the playoffs while Campbell was a member of the team, he continued to dominate in the Sunshine State. He finished 2018 with 10.5 sacks en route to a second-straight Pro Bowl appearance, with another nod coming the following season. Campbell was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2010s.

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Baltimore Ravens (2020-2022)

Following the 2019 season, Campbell was traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a 2020 fifth-round pick. In his first season in the Purple and Black, he accumulated 28 tackles and four sacks. Despite appearing on the reserve/COVID-19 list for a week, Campbell earned his sixth and final Pro Bowl appearance.

Following a 2021 season, in which he totaled 49 tackles and 1.5 sacks through 15 games, Campbell resigned with the team on a two-year deal worth $12.5 million. The season after resigning in Baltimore, he finished with 5.5 sacks and 36 total tackles. He would later be released from the team following the 2022 season.

Atlanta Falcons (2023)

Campbell signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He finished tied as the team's leader with 6.5 sacks, along with pitching in 56 total tackles. This season, he mainly played defensive line, compared to earlier in his career when he was a defensive end. After the season, he re-entered free agency.

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Miami Dolphins (2024)

Prior to the 2024 season, Campbell inked a one-year, $2 million deal to join the Miami Dolphins and make his return to the state of Florida. He finished the season with 52 tackles and five sacks while playing nose tackle for Anthony Weaver's Dolphin defense.

Arizona Cardinals (2025)

Last season, Campbell put on a Cardinals jersey for the first time since the 2016 season. During his reunion year, he put up 43 tackles, along with the second-highest sacks on the team with 6.5. After the season, he decided to continue his reunion trend and join up with the Ravens again, who were his third NFL team.

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Calais Campbell career stats

SeasonTeamGamesTacklesSacksSoloAssists
2008Cardinals16280235
2009Cardinals164873711
2010Cardinals156064614
2011Cardinals167285319
2012Cardinals13636.55013
2013Cardinals165894513
2014Cardinals145874810
2015Cardinals166154615
2016Cardinals165383419
2017Jaguars166714.54720
2018Jaguars167210.55319
2019Jaguars16566.53719
2020Ravens122841810
2021Ravens15491.52920
2022Ravens14365.51818
2023Falcons17566.53224
2024Dolphins175253517
2025Cardinals17436.52320
 TOTAL278960117674286
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