The 2025 NFL regular season is only weeks away, and the excitement is building around the Atlanta Falcons.
There’s a lot of optimism surrounding this squad, which is led by an intriguing core that features Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and a host of rookies on defense who will be instant impact players.
At the same time, former Falcons players are looking to put on a show this upcoming season on their new teams. One of those players who recently called Atlanta home is Calais Campbell, who is back in one of his stomping grounds for what might be his last year playing professional football.
Calais Campbell, is this your last year in the NFL?
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) August 14, 2025
“I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t.”
Ex-Falcons DT Calais Campbell Keeps Toying With Idea of Retirement
On Thursday, Campbell was asked by reporters if the 2025 season would be his last year in the NFL.
According to Darren Urban, the ex-Falcons defender responded with, “I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t.” Urban added that Campbell also suggested that he thought the last couple of years were going to be his last in the NFL, too. So, take these comments from Thursday for what they're worth.
The veteran defensive lineman signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal in April with the Arizona Cardinals. The 38-year-old Campbell spent the 2024 season with the Dolphins after one year in Atlanta.
This is Campbell’s second stint with the Cardinals. The veteran defensive lineman spent the first nine years of his career in Arizona, where he made a name for himself. Campbell made two Pro Bowls and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors a pair of times as well.
Over the years, Campbell has been one of the most consistent players in the NFL. He rarely misses games and is a consummate professional. During his lone season with the Falcons, Campbell played and started in all 17 games.
At the time, Campbell was 37 years old, but showed everyone that he could still play at a high level. The veteran defender racked up 56 combined tackles, 17 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble.
The last time Campbell had at least 6.5 sacks in a season was with the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2019 campaign. That said, if this is Campbell’s last year playing in the NFL, he’s doing it the right way by going back to the team that gave him a chance in 2008.