Where things stand with Campbell and whether he will finish season in Miami and play in 2025
Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell will be on the Hard Rock Stadium field Sunday when the Dolphins play the visiting 49ers.
Whether he will be wearing a Dolphins uniform beyond that remains in question.
While making clear that his focus is entirely on Sunday’s game, Campbell disclosed recently that before the trade deadline, he and general manager Chris Grier discussed a scenario in which he could possibly join a playoff contender if the Dolphins are eliminated from postseason contention.
“Weeks back, before the trade deadline, there was a small conversation you really didn’t hope would ever even become a thing,” he said Wednesday. “It was just something to talk about, nothing concrete. I don’t know if we’re there just yet. It’s definitely something you think about.
“A lot of moving parts. We’re kind of staying in the moment. [But] it’s definitely something you have to think about.”
If the Dolphins lose Sunday, they wouldn’t necessarily be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. If the Broncos beat the Chargers on Thursday, the Dolphins could lose to the 49ers and still make the playoffs with wins at Cleveland and the Jets, two Chargers losses, two Colts losses and a Cincinnati loss.
NFL Network reported that the Dolphins nearly traded Campbell, 38, to Baltimore for a fifth-round pick just before the Nov. 5 trade deadline before Mike McDaniel intervened and convinced management not to trade him.
Campbell, who played for the Ravens between 2020-2022 but has never won a Super Bowl, was asked if he regrets not being traded.
“Never live with regrets,” he said. “At the end of the day, there’s no wrong decision. In this business, they rarely involve the player in any decisions. You show up, be professional and be the best player you can. I came here to the Dolphins with a year long commitment to go out and compete and try to make the playoffs. That job is definitely not done yet. We still have a shot.”
Have other teams called his agent to express interest in the event the Dolphins are mathematically eliminated before the season ends?
“I don’t know if those conversations happened, but I’m pretty sure based off of how things have been in the past, I’ll have some interest,” he said.
Campbell — who was a Pro Bowler six times and most recently in 2020 — describes his season as “solid,” but not entirely up to his standards — which is one reason he will consider retirement.
In fact, he said: “I’ve put more thought into not playing, but I haven’t made that decision. There’s a small chance I guess I could play again. I don’t know if it’s really small but there’s a chance I can play again next year. I haven’t put any thought into it.”
Campbell, who signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Dolphins in May, has 43 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble in 14 games, all starts. Of 123 qualifying interior defenders, Pro Football Focus rates Campbell sixth best this season.
His play this year “was good ball; but I also feel like it could have been higher,” Campbell said. “Those are the standards for myself. There are times, I feel I could have made that play. I’m still in position to make big plays. It’s different when you’re used to making game-changing plays. I’m still being effective and causing plays to be had by my teammates and affecting ball games.”
But “it’s definitely humbling when you can’t do it at the same clip you used to do it. Is it, ‘I’m a little slower than I used to be?’ As long as I can be effective, I do want to keep playing. But that’s something I have to ask myself: ‘Can I still be a difference-maker in this league?’ That’s a big question. I want to be that guy. It’s hard when you go from being that guy for so long to asking can I still be that guy?”
Would he have interest in playing for the Dolphins again if he decides to play at all?
“This locker room, group of guys, coaching staff, I’ve had a great experience. Wish we won a few more ball games this year, but it’s definitely a great place to play football. I loved it here so far. Finishing the year strong and having a chance to make the playoffs would be sweet. If the time comes and I decide to play football again, this is definitely a place I love playing.”
For now, Campbell understandably only wants to focus on helping Miami overcome long odds to make the playoffs.
“I’m cherishing this moment,” he said. “The fact we are a little bit alive makes you feel a little solace. I feel like this team is so much better than we’ve been playing.”
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 4:27 PM.
