The Miami Dolphins signed veteran pass rusher Calais Campbell to solidify the position group as a counterpunch to the elite quarterbacks the franchise will need to get through in hopes of representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.
A versatile and disruptive defensive lineman, Campbell lands in South Beach after logging 6.5 sacks during the 2023 campaign, his 16th NFL season.
For Campbell, the opportunity to play meaningful football and make a meaningful charge at the Super Bowl this season, in hopes of winning his first ring, factored significantly into his decision in free agency.
“That’s a big reason why I signed here, because I feel like there’s a really good opportunity here,” Campbell told reporters, in his first public comments since signing with the Dolphins. “Very talented team all over the field, both offense and defense. When you go through the roster of who you have and see so many people that I feel like we can play together and build that team chemistry you need — we’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
“I really like the coaching staff. I mean, Anthony Weaver is a guy I’m very familiar with, [have] a lot of respect for, and he’s a big reason I really believe in this team. I know the kind of work ethic he has and just the kind of man he is, and I really think this defense is going to be a top — I don’t want to go too crazy, but it’s going to be a really good defense.”
Just how Campbell fits into the Dolphins’ scheme remains a bit of an open question.
Calais Campbell Opens up About Miami Dolphins Role
![Calais Campbell Breaks Silence on New Role with Miami Dolphins 1 Miami Dolphins](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/USATSI_21769902-1024x683.jpg)
Some of Campbell’s best seasons have come as an edge defender, but, he entered the NFL and has spent plenty of time playing along the interior of the defensive line.
As Pro Football Focus points out, Campbell posted 42 quarterback pressures in 2023 en route to a strong 80 overall grade from the outlet.
Through his first 16 seasons, Campbell has produced 105.5 sacks with 616 solo tackles, and it sure sounds like the Dolphins are going to move the veteran around to create havoc as part of a group that includes Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips returning from injury and explosive first-round pick Chop Robinson.
“I’m going to play all over the place, yes,” Campbell told reporters. “We haven’t really talked about like how they want to use me, but just knowing [defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver] and his mindset, we’re going to move around a little bit in different situations.
“There’s a lot of different things you can do in this defense as far as packages and different ways of lining up and doing things, but yes, I’d be very surprised if I don’t play literally position on the D-line at some point in time in the season in certain gaps.”
![Calais Campbell Breaks Silence on New Role with Miami Dolphins 2 Calais Campbell, Miami Dolphins](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Calais-Campbell-1024x683.jpg)