Arizona Cardinals
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Arizona Cardinals took a gigantic leap forward in Jonathan Gannon’s second season as head coach, going from a 4-13 team to one that finished just shy of the playoffs at 8-9. Gannon’s team didn’t just start buying in on defense, where they improved from 31st in points allowed to 15th, they also improved from 24th to 12th on offense.
This offseason has been all about finding impact players who can help the Cardinals return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. Their latest addition could be one of the Cardinals’ most impactful moves, both on the field and in the locker room.
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Arizona Cardinals reunite with former All-Pro Calais Campbell
Arizona Cardinals, Calais Campbell
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
While the Arizona Cardinals had little choice but to rely on Jonathan Gannon’s defensive expertise to improve early on in his coaching tenure, now general manager Monti Ossenfort has been more successful at adding big names too.
Arizona’s latest addition comes in the form of a reunion with a former Cardinals player, six-time Pro Bowl defender Calais Campbell.
While the financial terms have yet to be revealed, the Cardinals managed to get the one-time All-Pro defensive lineman signed to a one-year contract. It returns the 38-year-old who turns 39 in September, to the team that originally drafted him as the 50th overall pick in 2008.
Campbell went on to play nine seasons with the Cardinals, racking up 56.5 sacks before the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him in free agency.
The 17-year NFL veteran spent last season with the Miami Dolphins, where he appeared in all 17 games for the second season in a row. Despite not getting any starting opportunities, Campbell still managed to collect five sacks to go with 52 tackles and a forced fumble.
Now the Cardinals and Campbell hope they can help each other accomplish a common goal. While the Cardinals haven’t played playoff football since 2021, Campbell hasn’t been in the postseason since 2022. Both sides hope those numbers change in 2025.
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