Cheap fan service has never been the M.O. of the Arizona Cardinals under Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon.
So when the team signed franchise legend and six-time Pro Bowl DL Calais Campbell to a one-year deal ahead of the 2025 season, it was always about much more than exciting the State Farm Stadium crowd.
But that crowd was certainly excited.
When Campbell took the field Sunday in Glendale as a member of the home team for the first time in nine years, he was met with a roar of familiar support. Cardinals fans missed their 6-foot-8 gentle giant.
Calais Campbell on Cardinals Homecoming
It was an emotional moment for the 39-year-old veteran, returning to the very franchise that drafted him all the way back in 2008. He had not played for Arizona since the 2016 season, but the reception was just as warm.
“It’s been a long time since I played in this stadium as a Cardinal. It felt good,” Campbell said. “Coming out onto the field and running out of the tunnel, that’s when the emotion hit me. I was doing the same things as I was a long time ago when I was a young, athletic man.”
“I was turnt up, I felt great out there. I felt the love from the crowd… that was awesome. Going down to the end zone, praying like I do and seeing all those familiar faces and people with my jersey… I felt all the love.”
So it was that much sweeter when Campbell took down Panthers QB Bryce Young on fourth down to halt a stressful final drive, snuffing out what had been a furious comeback attempt by Carolina.
It was a homecoming with a happy ending — an ending that rhymed with many of Campbell’s 138 previous games in Cardinal Red. For what felt like the hundredth time in his lengthy career, Campbell had made a massive play with the game on the line.
“It was pretty surreal, the way the game went,” Campbell said. “Being able to make a play at the end of the game while having the crowd go wild was a really good feeling, that will never get old.”
“It’s a got-to-have it there and we needed it,” said head coach Jonathan Gannon. “We definitely needed it, and [Campbell] came up big. He played good the whole game, I thought.”
Campbell said he felt significantly more energized toward the end of Sunday’s win — more so than he did week one — and it paid off in the form of on-field results.
“Last week, I was pretty gassed at the end of the game, but I gave everything I had. That first game, I think everybody was gassed… that’s how it is. You can train all you want to, but playing football is the only way to really get in shape. Today, I was much better. I felt much better. I’m doing a lot of cardio so it really paid off,” Campbell said.
Calais Campbell: The Numbers
Campbell proved his reunion deal was about more than just a full-circle moment. His production at nearly 40 years of age is hardly slowing down. A year ago, Campbell received an 82.3 overall grade via Pro Football Focus and ranked first among all DL in run defense (85.9).
He wasn’t dominant to that extent in week one, but looked much more like his old reliable self against Carolina. Campbell took a near-16-point jump (77.0) in overall grade week two, with a 73.9 pass rush figure. He recorded two tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks — one, of course, being the game-clincher.
For Campbell to still be doing this at 39 is simply remarkable, especially for a defensive lineman. But it’s been consistent. He’s recorded at least five sacks (as a true interior DL) in each of his past three seasons. Despite his age, he’s somehow managed to play all but three games since 2021.
Managing a veteran’s workload can be tricky, and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis was able to set Campbell (who is seven years Rallis’ senior), up for success in the moment that mattered most.
“The coach did a really good job of rotation, a lot of plays early. I kind of wanted to be in there, but I had to tell myself, ‘Pace yourself. Pace yourself,’” Campbell said.
“That’s a little bit of a humbling experience as an older player. I wish I could be out there every play but we have a good team, a deep roster of d-linemen and we all went out there (and) took turns making plays. I felt good.”
As heartwarming as it was to see the veteran come through for his team once again, the tough truth is Arizona should never have needed their 39-year-old DL to close out a game in which they held a 27-3 lead at one point.
Sunday’s win was ugly, and even discouraging — offensively, defensively, and with regard to the health of the Cardinals’ young secondary.
But Campbell, ever the positive leader figure, had a different take than what fans and media alike have been expressing on social media.
“In my 18 years, it’s hard to be angry after a win,” said Campbell. “I’ve been on teams where we are a better team, we’re supposed to win, and we end up losing it late, so any time you win in this business, I’m going to celebrate the win, always.
“Now, I’m going to definitely try to light a fire under guys and just continue to control what we can control and work on the things we can get better at. Hopefully, we can find a way to continue to win the ball games.”
Campbell may not be the star of the show anymore, and the Cardinals have plenty of concerns, no doubt. But it was a heartwarming experience watching big No. 93 help deliver a Sunday win for Arizona.
Just like old times.
