Calais Campbell Still Loves Football At 39, Expects 19th Nfl Season With Ravens To Be His Last

Calais Campbell rejoined the Baltimore Ravens this offseason for his 19th NFL season.

The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro expects it to be his last. But he's not certain.

"This year, I feel as strongly as ever that this is probably going to be my last year," Campbell told reporters Tuesday, per The Athletic. "I know I said that last year and the year before. I genuinely mean it at the time, but 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. At that time, I'll decide if I want to play again or not."

Campbell has produced an accomplished career that includes six Pro Bowls and three All-Pro selections, and he has more than $150 million in career earnings. He returned last season to the Arizona Cardinals team that drafted him and with whom he played in a Super Bowl with as a rookie after the 2008 season.

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So why does he want to return this season at 39 years old after what could have been a career bookend season in Arizona? It's a question he says he hears from players, coaches, fans and his family. His answer is simple.

He still loves the game. And teams keep signing him.

"Everybody's just like, why you keep doing this?" Campbell said. "I think the only answer I can really say is I love the game. I love it. I'm still fairly good at it. And they still want me to play. So why not?"

Campbell, indeed, remains a difference maker who's started all but one of the games he's played in since his rookie season. He's recorded five-plus sacks in each of his last four seasons.

He's hoping to remain a force for a Ravens team he previously played with from 2020-22. And he has one significant hole to fill on his résumé. He played in a Super Bowl as a rookie, but he doesn't have a Super Bowl ring.

He'll line up for a Ravens team looking to break through for the first Super Bowl of the Lamar Jackson era, a scenario that could add up a sweet swan song for Campbell if they succeed.