Calais Campbell is heading back to Miami in massive Dolphins move

NFL

By Sean Savage

Calais Campbell is set to head back to South Florida.

The towering 6-foot-8, 282-pound defensive end is signing with the Dolphins, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, marking a return to Miami 20 years since he debut collegiately for the Hurricanes.

The 37-year-old is still playing the game at an elite level and was one of the biggest names left for the taking on the free agency market as teams hold their mandatory minicamps.

In 2023 with the Falcons, Campbell accumulated 56 tackles (32 solo), 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass defended over 17 games.

Campbell will join a Dolphins defense that ranked second in the NFL last season and averaged 3.1 sacks per game — though it will be without pass rusher Christian Wilkins, who signed with the Raiders this offseason.

Campbell starred over three seasons at “The U,” racking up 19.5 sacks and 129 combined tackles over 36 games from 2005-07.

It was enough for the Cardinals to take him in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, starting off a 16-season career that’s also seen him play with the Jaguars and Ravens along the way.

Campbell was selected to play in six Pro Bowls and won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2019.

Despite his age, he remains a sought-after player, with Falcons coach Raheem Morris wanting to hang on to him for another year.

“I talked to him about what my vision was and where it could potentially go,” the coach said in March. “I’ll let him tell you what he’s going to do. I look forward to getting a chance to sit in front of him because he’s certainly as impressive as it gets.”

Morris could potentially get another look at Campbell when Atlanta faces off against the Dolphins in a preseason game on Aug. 9 — but it’ll be from the opposite sideline.