Jamison HensleyESPN Staff Writer2 Minute Read
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens launched six-time Pro Bowl defensive finish Calais Campbell on Monday, which allowed the workforce to get quarterback Lamar Jackson’s franchise tag underneath the wage cap.
The Ravens created $7 million in much-needed cap area by chopping Campbell, who had the fifth-highest cap determine ($9.44 million) on the workforce.
Campbell introduced on the Super Bowl in February that he deliberate to return for his sixteenth season. At 36, he’s the NFL’s oldest energetic defensive lineman.
“Calais defines what it’s to be a Raven,” Ravens common supervisor Eric DeCosta mentioned in an announcement. “He personifies professionalism, and his contributions to our group – each on and off the sphere – are immense. With his ardour, management and toughness, Calais has undoubtedly produced a Hall of Fame-worthy profession.”
DeCosta didn’t rule out a return for Campbell later within the offseason. “While that is the worst a part of the enterprise, we now have not closed the door on the opportunity of him returning to our workforce sooner or later,” DeCosta mentioned.
This transfer with Campbell is the newest and largest by Baltimore to get underneath the wage cap by Wednesday after inserting the $32.416 million nonexclusive franchise tag on Jackson. Over the final 5 days, the Ravens opened up $14.8 million in cap area with one launch (Campbell), two pay cuts (operating again Gus Edwards and nostril sort out Michael Pierce) and one commerce (security Chuck Clark to the New York Jets for a 2024 seven-round choose).
Campbell is coming off a resurgent season wherein he recorded 5.5 sacks. But Campbell has had some sturdiness points lately, lacking a complete of 9 video games the final three seasons. The Ravens might transfer Broderick Washington into Campbell’s beginning spot if they do not deal with the void in free company or the draft.
One of the explanations for Campbell to return is reaching 100 profession sacks. He at the moment has 99 sacks and acknowledged on the finish of the season that the milestone is “not on the high of the listing, however it’s one thing I really need.”
A second-round choose in 2008, Campbell has recorded 809 tackles and 237 quarterback hits whereas taking part in with the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Ravens. He was chosen First Team All-Pro after the 2017 season, when he registered a career-best 14.5 sacks for the Jaguars and completed second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Campbell has additionally been acknowledged as one of many classiest gamers within the league. After this season, Campbell obtained the Art Rooney Sportsmanship award, which acknowledges those that show integrity and honor on the sphere. In 2019, he was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
