Former Miami Hurricanes standout Calais Campbell is making a homecoming splash by signing with the Miami Dolphins. The six-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman, just shy of his 38th birthday, has joined the team in a move that has been somewhat overshadowed by his age yet remains significant for the Dolphins’ roster.
Campbell reminisced about his time as a Hurricane during his press conference, expressing his excitement about playing professionally in a city that already holds a special place in his heart. “It’s kind of cool to become a Dolphin,” he shared, acknowledging the higher expectations and passion from the local fanbase.
Despite a quieter than usual media reaction, the addition of Campbell could be a game changer for the Dolphins, who have been particularly active this offseason. They’ve restructured their defensive line extensively following the departures of Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders and Raekwon Davis to the Indianapolis Colts, both of whom signed substantial deals with their new teams. With these exits, the pressure was mounting on the Dolphins to fill the void left behind, particularly alongside notable lineman Zach Sieler.
Campbell is poised to step into Wilkins’ shoes. His 2023 performance with the Atlanta Falcons demonstrated resilience and consistency, matching his Pro Bowl-worthy 2019 stats with the Jacksonville Jaguars—56 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss. This level of play suggests Campbell is far from done, despite the years on his frame.
His journey through the NFL includes significant stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Baltimore Ravens. Particularly influential was his time under Anthony Weaver, then a defensive line coach for the Ravens, who is now the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator. Campbell’s familiarity and respect for Weaver played a crucial role in his decision to sign with Miami, bolstering his confidence in the team’s defensive potential.
Campbell’s veteran presence and playoff experience will be invaluable to a relatively young Dolphins team that lacks deep postseason experience—a gap that was apparent in their last playoff outing. His track record of durability and leadership will be central to Miami’s strategy, both on and off the field.
Ultimately, Campbell’s signing is not just about filling a roster spot but about bringing stability, experience, and a winning mentality to the Dolphins. His belief in the team’s Super Bowl potential and his desire to contribute to that vision could very well redefine Miami’s defensive dynamics and elevate their competitive edge in the upcoming season.