Former Atlanta Falcons leader Calais Campbell makes free agency decision

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell was faced with a three-pronged decision this offseason: retire, return to the Atlanta Falcons or sign elsewhere in free agency.

And on Thursday night, Campbell chose the latter option, agreeing to sign with the Miami Dolphins for his 17th professional season, according to NFL Media.

Campbell, 37, started all 17 games for the Falcons last season and finished tied for first on the team in sacks with 6.5. He added 10 tackles for loss and 17 quarterback hits, along with 56 tackles en route to his most productive campaign since 2019.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who was hired in January and has never worked with Campbell before, said at the league’s owners’ meeting that he and general manager Terry Fontenot had spoken with Campbell of a possible reunion.

“I’m looking forward to having the chance to sit in front of him because he’s certainly as impressive as it gets when it comes to football character,” Morris said on March 26. “He’s had as impressive a career as one can have. I look forward to discussing this in more detail with him at a later date.”

The Falcons didn’t add any pass helpers in free agency, but before the draft, Fontenot didn’t rule out the possibility of bringing Campbell back.

“We will never close any door,” Fontenot said on April 23. “Once we get past the draft, we always look at the players available and what we can do. It’s a 24/7, 365 process, roster… building. We never stop. The list is never established. We will never close any doors.

Atlanta added several pieces to its defensive front shortly after in the draft, selecting defensive tackles Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus and Zion Logue as well as outside linebacker Bralen Trice.

The youth movement up front has left the Falcons satisfied and largely reduced interest in reuniting with Campbell.

“Being able to add players with big size and length in that room was a big priority for us,” Morris said before the start of OTAs on May 14. “To be able to do that, we were very excited to come out of the draft with that.”

And so Campbell, a respected leader in the Atlanta locker room, always capable of rushing the passer, opted for a different homecoming — to Miami, where he played collegiately nearly two decades ago.