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Ravens Sign 40-Year-Old Calais Campbell to Boost Pass Rush

5/1/2026

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Summary

Campbell Joins Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens signed defensive end Calais Campbell to a one-year deal, turning 40 on Sept. 1, 2026.
Campbell, who played for Baltimore 2020-2022 with 11 sacks and a 2020 Pro Bowl nod, recorded 6.5 sacks, 43 tackles and 16 quarterback hits in 2025 for the Arizona Cardinals.
Baltimore’s 2025 defense logged only 30 sacks and a 30 % pass-rush win rate, leaving its interior line thin after the draft.

Summary

Campbell Breaks Record

Campbell will break the NFL record for games played by a defensive lineman as he starts his 19th season at age 40.
He called the achievement a badge of honor but said he feels old after 18 years.
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort said Campbell earned the right to wait and assess his best situation after the draft.
Arizona added seven undrafted free agents to its 90-man roster following Campbell’s departure.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s modern free-agency era began after the 2011 lockout, when players regained bargaining rights on July 25 2011. Teams have since used veteran talent to fill roster gaps, a pattern echoed in 2026 when the Baltimore Ravens re-signed 40-year-old defensive end Calais Campbell. The move reflects the league’s long-standing reliance on experienced players to bolster defenses.

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Campbell Joins Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens signed defensive end Calais Campbell to a one-year deal, turning 40 on Sept. 1, 2026.
Campbell, who played for Baltimore 2020-2022 with 11 sacks and a 2020 Pro Bowl nod, recorded 6.5 sacks, 43 tackles and 16 quarterback hits in 2025 for the Arizona Cardinals.
Baltimore’s 2025 defense logged only 30 sacks and a 30 % pass-rush win rate, leaving its interior line thin after the draft.

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