The 2021 season could be the final one in the career of former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell. The now-Baltimore Raven said on Tuesday that his 14th season in the league could very well be his last, according to comments obtained from the team website.
“That’s something I’m still figuring out, I guess,” Campbell said. “I kind of take it one year at a time. I know that I’ve got this year in me for sure. I’m going to give what I have this year, and then we’ll re-evaluate once the season ends.
“It’s definitely something you think about. I used to say when I was younger I wanted to play 15 (years). I didn’t realize how hard 15 was going to be. This is 14 for me. I know I’ve got this in me for sure. I’d still like to play 15. Hopefully I’ve got another one. We’ll see.”
Campbell totaled a franchise-record 14.5 sacks as the face of Jacksonville’s front seven in 2017, but as he began to age, his production dropped off over the next two seasons. He was eventually traded to Baltimore for a fifth-round pick last spring.
In the 12 games he appeared and started in with the Ravens in 2020, he totaled just 28 tackles and four sacks, both the lowest since his rookie season in 2008.
Campbell missed time last season after testing positive for COVID-19, an experience he describes as not for the faint of heart. Though he believes he’s fully recovered, the effects he felt still linger in his mind.
“Sometimes, I feel like it kind of comes and goes, I guess I really can’t be sure until we get to the thick of things,” Campbell said. “I’ve been really good for the last couple of months. I haven’t had any real issues. It lingered for a while. I still don’t wish that on anybody, it’s such a tough thing to go through. You don’t feel like yourself, even when you’re past the symptoms that everybody has. I definitely feel a lot better. I feel like I’m ready to go out there and dominate, have some fun. I hope I stay that way.”
Campbell said he has received the vaccine but wouldn’t pressure his teammates to do the same, in spite of his experience with the virus.
“To each their own. Each person has to do their own research and figure out what’s best for them. As a team, we’re working toward something great here. I feel like everybody supports each other.”
Though it’s clear that if he had it his way, his career would extend beyond the 2021 season, this year may be a farewell tour for one of the best NFL defensive linemen of the last decade.