Is Calais Campbell the Tom Brady of defense, or is it time for him to retire?

Miami Dolphins finally halted their three-game losing run with a 23-15 win on Monday night. The win was built on a solid defense that allowed the Rams to convert just three of their 12 third downs, four sacks, and two turnovers. One man at the center of this effort was Calais Campbell.

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The defensive tackle, who turned 38 just a couple of weeks before the regular season started, had one sack and batted a pass that Anthony Walker intercepted in the first half, as he marshaled the Dolphins’ defense, a performance that would be interpreted as vindication for GM Chris Grier.

“Well, I work really hard, so I’m not surprised,” Campbell said on Wednesday. “I feel like my preparation and just the dedication I put into this game, I expected to do well. If I can’t go out there and dominate, I don’t think I’m going to play anymore. I want to play at an elite level and so I definitely put the time and effort to do that, so it feels good to be able to do it and other people recognizing it is nice, too, but at the end of the day, it’s got to carry over to winning ballgames.”

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The 17-year NFL veteran admitted to contemplating retirement before joining Miami, as he has done in the past seasons. Following the win over the Rams, the questions over his future were again brought up. There’s little doubt that the Dolphins would want to bring him back for another season, but the defensive lineman’s stance on the future hasn’t moved an inch.

Poll of the day

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Yes, he’s a proven leader

No, the team is beyond saving

Maybe, if they make key changes

It’s too late for this season

Is it time for Jerry Jones to step down as GM and let someone else rebuild the Dallas Cowboys?

Yes, it’s overdue

No, he knows best

Only if the season gets worse

Not sure

Do you think Patrick Mahomes will succeed in bringing a WNBA team to Kansas City before Jayson Tatum secures one for St. Louis?

Yes, Mahomes has the edge

No, Tatum will outbid him

It’s too close to call

WNBA expansion isn’t a priority

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Campbell, who signed a one-year deal worth $2 million, with a base salary of $1.2 million (the league veteran minimum) and $795,000 signing bonus, likes to treat every season as if it were his last. He goes into every offseason, reflecting on whether he will be back.

“I’ve always been in the mindset of leave everything on the field, burn rubber and just go as hard as I can go, and then when the offseason comes, I figure out next year when that comes. That’s how it’s been quite of the last few years. Next year doesn’t even exist to me right now, so I’m playing this year as if it’s my last, and I’m trying to do everything I can to empty the tank and give the game my all.

“If the offseason comes around and I feel good still, then we’ll figure it out then.”

Grier has been building Miami for the 2025 season and Campbell would be a crucial cog in that setup. In case, the DT decides to retire that is a whole different story, but letting him go to another team despite problems in defense, would be seen as a less-than-sensible move.

Campbell has played 9 games this season and has recorded, via StatMuse, 25 solo tackles, and three sacks. To be honest, the depth for the Dolphins at DT is good, but none of them are considered full-time, three-down players. Yet so far there is nothing reported about offering Campbell an extension. Going by his comments, he is taking it one season at a time and will likely make a decision about his future once the season is done. But right now, he is feeling good in Miami.

With Campbell joining Miami, it was a chance for him to revive his Super Bowl ambitions, with six Pro Bowlers in the team. The likes of wide receiver Tyreek Hil and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa give the Dolphins a strong core with running back Raheem Mostert, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, left tackle Terron Armstead, and fullback Alec Ingold providing enough strength.

Even though the season hasn’t turned out the way they would have hoped with a 3-6 record, QB Tua Tagovailoa’s health remains in limbo. Having sustained three concussion injuries in his NFL career already, his Week 2 concussion incident against the Bills set in motion, calls for him to retire.

Former Cowboys WR Dez Bryant said, “That’s it. NFL go ahead and do the right thing. Tua has had entirely way too many concussions. He needs to retire for his longevity health concerns.” Meanwhile, the Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said in a press conference, “He’s going to live longer than he’s going to play football. Take care of your family. I’d tell him to retire. It’s not worth it.”

It seems the Dolphins face a challenge with two players who could very well be their cornerstones for at least another year. With Campbell, it is clear that the franchise is keen on having him beyond the season, which was reflected in HC Mike McDaniel.

Calais Campbell is ‘Brady’ of DL!

Yes, you heard it right! On Wednesday, during a press conference, Miami Dolphins’s head coach, McDaniel said,

“I think he’s such a unique individual because he’s an outlier. I call him like the Tom Brady of defensive linemen. How do you play the game week-in, week-out for that long of a career? And to do it in the trenches from the one to the five, literally lining up on the center all the way out to the tackle? It’s supremely impressive.

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“But at the same time, it’s not only his performance. But he’s the consummate team guy that knows how to thrive in tough situations.”

That’s the highest praise from the coach you can get. Hearing that flattered Campbell. He expressed his gratitude for the coach’s trust and support. However, he also acknowledged that football is a result-driven sport, where each week a player has to prove all over again. Otherwise, opinions can quickly change, so Campbell is determined to prove himself every week.

After the win over the Rams, Campbell said, “The best way to win is to get off the field. The defense should keep getting the ball back to the offense. They got firepower; we just got to keep feeding them. So third down is money down.” 

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The former Walter Payton Man of the Year is eyeing more improvements with his team. Now, it remains to be seen how the season shapes up for Miami and whether Campbell fits into their future plans.

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