De’Vondre Campbell goes full Diontae Johnson in 49ers’ TNF loss to Rams

The San Francisco 49ers’ 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football wasn’t just a tough defeat—it was a reminder that the NFL is full of players who, for one reason or another, decide to check out. Just ask the Baltimore Ravens, who saw Diontae Johnson refuse to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles a little over a week ago, causing a suspension.

After apparently telling head coach Kyle Shanahan he wasn’t going back in, Campbell walked off to the locker room. No injury, no visible frustration—just an abrupt "I’m out."

Campbell’s antics might not have cost him a suspension just yet, but the drama is still playing out, and it’s starting to feel a little like deja vu for anyone following the NFL’s soap opera.

As the 49ers' locker room scrambles to handle this latest incident, it’s safe to say that Campbell’s walk-out is going to leave a mark. The Niners are dealing with enough already—so much so that it’s hard not to look at this and think, "At least it’s not just us."

Diontae Johnson gave De'Vondre Campbell the courage he needed to quit on his team

Campbell’s mid-game exit comes at a time when the 49ers are fighting for their playoff lives. While Shanahan and the rest of the coaching staff were left to pick up the pieces, cornerback Charvarius Ward didn’t hold back, calling for Campbell’s head and saying, "He’s probably gonna get cut."

This could have been a moment of frustration, something understandable after a season of ups and downs. But here’s the thing: Campbell’s actions are part of a troubling trend. Just like Johnson’s refusal to enter the game for the Ravens, Campbell’s walk-off was a slap in the face to his teammates and coaching staff.

Could the specter of Johnson’s actions have influenced Campbell's decision? It’s hard to ignore the parallels, especially with both players now sharing the title of "team quitters" in the NFL.

The drama surrounding Campbell adds yet another layer of dysfunction to a 49ers season already marked by inconsistency and frustration. While they’re dealing with the fallout, Ravens fans can enjoy the fact that this time, the dysfunction isn't coming from their own team. The Niners have their hands full, but Ravens Flock can kick back and watch the chaos unfold, knowing that they aren’t the only team dealing with drama.

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