Calais Campbell has said this before. After his 17th and 18th season. Both times he meant it but football pulled him back. Sitting with reporters on Tuesday after the first day of the Baltimore Ravens‘ mandatory minicamp, he said it again, this time with a caveat that separates this statement from all the previous ones.
“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. “I know I said that last year and the year before, but I genuinely meant it at the time. As of right now, I’m playing this year as if it’s my last year.”
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Campbell will turn 40 in September. He re-signed with Baltimore on a one-year, $5.5 million deal this offseason, returning to the organization where he played from 2020-22.
He came back specifically because of Anthony Weaver, who served as his defensive line coach during his previous stint.
What 19 seasons actually looks like and the record he could set this fall
Five games. That is all Campbell needs to surpass Jim Marshall for the most games played by any defensive lineman in NFL history. He has played in 278 career games without missing a single one since 2022.
Ravens DE Calais Campbell believes his 19th NFL season will be his final one.
Story via @jamisonhensley:https://t.co/kjfxyhkHjX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 10, 2026
“To be able to go out there and play more games than everybody else at the defensive line position is like, ‘Wow, it’s mind-blowing,'” Campbell said. “I’m just a kid who loves playing football and I get to keep playing. I’m happy. But it is cool and surreal.”
He can reach Marshall’s record as early as Week 5 on Sunday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, one of his former teams. The symmetry is fitting for a career built entirely on longevity.
Campbell still produced last season with the Arizona Cardinals despite the team going 3-14. He started all 17 games, recording 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss, finishing second on the team in sacks at 39 years old. He now ranks fourth among active NFL players with 117 career sacks.
When asked why he keeps playing, his answer had nothing to do with records.
“I think the only answer I can really give is that I love the game. I’m still fairly good at it, and they still want me to play. So, it’s like, ‘Why not?’ I’m healthy, and I love the game. There’s definitely a time and place [when] one day, it’s going to be taken from me, and I’m going to have to retire. I’m going to enjoy it as long as I can.” Campbell said.