The NFL got good news on Super Bowl Sunday when Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell announced on NFL Network that he would be returning for a 16th NFL season. The veteran has dominated the NFL ever since debuting, and can still provide positive snaps to a team that needs him.
Campbell signed a two-year deal with Baltimore during the 2022 offseason, meaning he’s still under contract with the Ravens for this upcoming year. However, the Pro Bowler has a $9.4 million cap hit, sparking debates as to whether he’ll be playing elsewhere during the 2023 season.
If Baltimore were to move on from the veteran and go in a different direction completely, they would save around $7 million dollars against the cap, but have to replace Campbell’s spot on the roster as well as his production. Campbell seems to enjoy being a member of the Ravens, so likely a more realistic option that could work for both sides is a contract restructure or even an extension to lessen the defensive lineman’s cap hit for 2023.
Campbell has made it clear he wants to win, and could very well compete for a Super Bowl championship assuming that quarterback Lamar Jackson is back at the helm for the team. However, if Baltimore decides to move on from Jackson and draft a rookie, Campbell potentially could want to take his talents to a team more in win-now mode.
There are plenty of factors that could determine whether Campbell is wearing purple and black in 2023. However, wherever he ends up suiting up, he will be a positive influence both on the field and in the locker room as he chases a Super Bowl title.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby9dgr2e1eyts4 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]