3 former Baltimore Ravens who could return in free agency in 2024
By Mike Luciano
2. DE Calais Campbell, Atlanta Falcons
Some players just manage to defy all concepts of aging and modern sports medicine, and the gargantuan Campbell starting all 17 games and serving as one of the lynchpins on a much-improved defense at age 37 helps put him in that category. He won't compete for Defensive Player of the Year, but he's still a rock-solid two-way force.
Campbell recorded 56 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season while beefing up Atlanta's run defense. The Ravens did bring Madubuike back, but with Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy also hitting free agency, Baltimore must be well aware of the fact that their defensive line is still very much a work in progress.
The Baltimore Ravens should bring Calais Campbell back.
While he can't adequately fix Baltimore's run defense by himself or make up for Clowney as a pass-rusher, the fact he can boost both of those areas in one relatively cheap deal could be very appealing for the Ravens' front office. They have enough defensive stalwarts to potentially make up for the nightmare scenario where Father Time catches up to him.
Campbell helped set the tone for a very young defense, and many of the pieces who started during Campbell's three-year tenure have matured into first-rate performers after the 2023 season. Getting the altruistic Campbell back will be as invaluable for the locker room as it would be a help on the field.