Does Calais Campbell have plans to play football in 2025?
Did Calais Campbell play his last game in the NFL as a member of the Miami Dolphins?
A documentary shot last season on the former University of Miami standout, who is likely destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he eventually retires, could provide some clues.
NFL Films documented Campbell’s 2024 season with the Dolphins all throughout the year and will be airing their piece on the NFL’s iron man tonight at 11 p.m. on the NFL Network.
In the profile, which provides plenty of behind-the-scenes footage of the 17-year veteran, became an immediate captain for the Dolphins and helped anchor one of the NFL’s top 10 defenses. The defensive lineman who has recorded 110.5 career sacks breaks down his thought process on whether he will play an 18th season.
Campbell has openly admitted he won’t make a decision on his future until March, which is the start of NFL free agency. The reasoning for that is he will wait to give his body time to heal, and then be able to assess what the interest level in his services are.
The Dolphins, who signed him to a one-year, incentive-laden deal that paid Campbell $2.5 million, have already expressed a desire to have the 38-year-old return to the team in 2025.
“What he added to this organization this year was incredible. An incredible human being, just his longevity and what he’s been able to do as a player at his age for this long is almost unheard of. Every day, how he approaches it, his professionalism, it’s just hard to put into words unless you’re around him,” general manager Chris Grier said about Campbell, who recorded 52 tackles, five sacks and forced a fumble in the 17 starts he made in 2024.
”He’s got an infectious personality. He loves ball. He loves his teammates. He wants to invest in players and teach them and pass on the knowledge,” Grier continued. “I don’t want to speak for him, but he’s indicated that if he does decide to play that he loved his time here and we would be a very strong consideration to come back if he decides to play again, and we would welcome him back with open arms.”
Campbell has openly admitted he’s seeking to join a title contender so he can achieve the one thing that’s missing from his football resume, and that’s a Super Bowl victory.
A handful of title contenders showed interest in acquiring the 6-8, 307 pound defensive linemen at the trade deadline, but the Dolphins passed on those offers fearing it would send the team the wrong signal. A couple of those teams planned to pursue Campbell when/if the Dolphins released him in the season’s final week, allowing him to join a contender if they weren’t in the playoff equation, which was something the decision makers pledged.
That never happened because the Dolphins still had a chance to advance to the postseason in the season’s final week, so it’s possible Campbell could play one more season. But money (the offer made by interested teams) and the team’s chances of winning it all will likely be a major factor in his decision.
If Campbell decides to retire, don’t be surprised if he pursues a career in football, either as a coach or working his way up an NFL team’s front office. But he might not begin that phase of life immediately, possibly explore a career in television as a broadcaster or analyst.
This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 12:42 PM.
