Calais Campbell Agrees to Contract with Falcons After 3 Seasons with Ravens

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 04: Calais Campbell #93 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before the game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

G Fiume/Getty Images

Former Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell has agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcons?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Falcons</a> have now officially announced the signing of Pro Bowl DL Calais Campbell, giving him a 1-year deal worth a base salary of $7M fully guaranteed that can get to $9M with incentives, source said. A substantial investment at a key spot.

Luke Jones @BaltimoreLuke
Calais Campbell said farewell to the Ravens and Baltimore on Instagram a little bit ago… <a href="https://t.co/vdCg8dtq88">pic.twitter.com/vdCg8dtq88</a>

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
While Calais Campbell had several options, he bought in to the vision of Atlanta coach Arthur Smith and GM Terry Fontenot. He's been to a conference title game with a young team and young QB before (the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jaguars?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jaguars</a>), and perhaps there are some similarities. <a href="https://t.co/z5tHAF5vdy">https://t.co/z5tHAF5vdy</a>

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
Prior to reaching his decision, Calais Campbell had a 40-minute phone call with owner Arthur Blank and the two discussed leadership, charitable efforts, and how Campbell thrives in the community. That non-football call helped seal it. <a href="https://t.co/z5tHAF5vdy">https://t.co/z5tHAF5vdy</a>

The Ravens released Campbell on March 13 to save $7 million in cap space for 2023. He had spent the past three seasons in Baltimore after being traded to the franchise in March 2020 from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Campbell had an impressive first season in Baltimore, posting four sacks, six pass breakups, 28 tackles, five tackles for a loss and 10 quarterback hits in 12 games en route to a Pro Bowl selection.

However, his production dipped in 2021, as he posted 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one fumble recovery, 49 tackles, five tackles for a loss and 12 quarterback hits in 15 games. He followed that up with 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, 36 tackles, four tackles for a loss and 14 quarterback hits in 14 games last season.

With Campbell off to a new destination, the Ravens will turn to Justin Madubuike and Brent Urban at the defensive end position.

Campbell, meanwhile, should be a solid contributor on his new team.

It's no surprise he landed with the Falcons, as the franchise was one of the first he visited as a free agent.

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Campbell will bring Atlanta some more flexibility and experience on defense as it looks to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.

The 36-year-old marks Atlanta's second significant free-agent signing on the defensive side this offseason, joining Jessie Bates III. He will join a defensive end unit that includes David Onyemata, Joe Gaziano and Amani Bledsoe.

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