Countdown to Week 1: No. 93, DT Calais Campbell

We continue on the countdown to Week 1 with one of the more interesting offseason additions to any team in 2020. This is Day 93: Calais Campbell

How Campbell Became a Raven

On March 15, 2020, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter tweeted the Jaguars and Ravens agreed on a deal in principle to send Campbell to Baltimore in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round pick. Undoubtedly, those who viewed this tweet double- and triple-checked the source of the tweet was, in fact, the real Adam Schefter account. Even then, many presumed this a falsehood.

It was true, though. One of the best defensive lineman in the NFL was shipping up to Baltimore for a lowly fifth-round pick.

Career before becoming a Raven

Campbell, prior to joining the Ravens, played nine years with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Jaguars in 2017. He’s played total of 12 seasons in the NFL and dominated season after season.

In 2019, Campbell played in all 16 games and produced 56 combined tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery which led to a touchdown, and 6.5 sacks. Not counting Campbell’s first season of his career, the defensive lineman has averaged eight sacks per season.

2019 Highlights

Contract info

After being traded to the Ravens, Campbell signed a one-year, $10 million contract extension. The extension guaranteed $10 million as a signing bonus to drop his 2020 cap figure by $5 million. The new contract guaranteed $5 million.

Outlook for 2020

The expectations for the 33 year old are sky-high. Campbell’s been looked at as a bit of a savior for the defense. One who can come in and force double teams upon himself or wreck a play if the opponent decides to double-block someone else. He’s a blue chip player and his combination of pass rushing skills are set to free up himself or somebody else. It’s been the talk of the offseason for Baltimore and anything less than 10 sacks for him or a load of sacks for everybody else will somehow look like a disappointment.