Barely 12 hours after the Ravens’ season got here to an finish with a gut-wrenching 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night time, Calais Campbell watched as teammates stuffed massive trash luggage with gear. The finish of one other season got here too quickly for the 36-year-old veteran defensive finish, and he made clear on Monday that his NFL future is unclear.
“It’s going to be hard to walk away, that’s for sure,” Baltimore’s light big mentioned after finishing his fifteenth 12 months within the league and third with the Ravens. “I’ll talk to the front office and coaches and I’ll think. There’s a chance I could be back here again next year. I just have to go through that process.”
Campbell was in the same spot final season, after the Ravens completed 8-9 and watched the playoffs from dwelling.He thought-about retirement regardless of anchoring one of many league’s finest run defenses, however after attending Super Bowl 56 in February, he couldn’t resist the urge to win his first title. Two months later, the Ravens signed Campbell to a two-year deal.
In 2022, Campbell proved age is only a quantity, totaling 36 tackles (two for loss), 5 1/2 sacks and two compelled fumbles in 14 regular-season video games. He missed Weeks 16 and 17 with a knee harm.
“I feel like I was still able to affect the ballgames, and that’s important,” the six-time Pro Bowl choice mentioned. “I think that wouldn’t do justice to my career and my legacy if I go out there and become less than what I’ve been.”
When evaluating his future, Campbell mentioned the Ravens’ quarterback scenario won’t issue into his decision-making course of. There has been uncertainty surrounding the Ravens and star quarterback Lamar Jackson, a pending free agent, as as to whether each side can comply with a long-term deal.
“It’s not part of my process though. I think that my process is going to be individual and just like how I feel when I have to go through and get prepared,” mentioned Campbell, who additionally talked about that he desires to be part of an amazing crew, however extra importantly, a profitable crew.
Perhaps one other incentive for him to return is the hunt for 100 profession sacks, a milestone that he sits only one in need of.
“I had plenty of opportunities to get it this year and didn’t get it done,” Campbell mentioned. “It’s not the top of the list, but it’s something I really want. At the end of the day, what’s meant to be will be.”
Campbell is amongst a handful of Ravens gamers who will spend the offseason mulling over their future in Baltimore. The Ravens have 22 gamers who can enter free company, together with beginning left guard Ben Powers, cornerback Marcus Peters, Jackson and outdoors linebacker Justin Houston.
Jackson, who missed the final six video games due to a Grade 2 PCL harm, was not seen within the locker room on Monday whereas Peters left with out chatting with reporters, one thing he has achieved since late September.
Powers, who has began 36 video games in 4 seasons, might be getting into free company for the primary time. He mentioned he’ll take the method “day by day,” as he has no thought what to anticipate, however when requested if he desires to stay a Raven, the left guard mentioned, “I do not know what the future holds.”
Houston mentioned that he desires to play subsequent season however doesn’t know the place. “You have to wait until the season is over with,” he mentioned. “You just [got to sit back] and chill and wait for a call.”
Although security Chuck Clark is below contract for one more season, he appeared not sure about what lies forward. After the Ravens signed security Marcus Williams after which drafted Kyle Hamilton within the first spherical of final 12 months’s draft, Clark requested a commerce amid uncertainty about his function.
Clark, who signed a three-year contract extension price $16 million in 2020, later grew to become content material along with his scenario with the Ravens and went on to report a career-best 101 tackles and 4 cross deflections in 17 begins. But now that the season is over, Clark’s path is as soon as once more clouded with uncertainty.
“Honestly, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he mentioned, noting that he desires to stick with the Ravens however understands it’s not his resolution. “I’ve been here my [whole] career, but sometimes you might have to step out of your comfort zone.”
Extra factors
- The Ravens introduced on Monday that they signed six gamers to order/future offers, which is able to hold them on the offseason 90-man roster. The signees had been extensive receivers Shemar Bridges and Mike Thomas, guard John Simpson, defensive deal with Rayshad Nichols, linebacker Jeremiah Moon and defensive again Bopete Keyes.
- The Indianapolis Colts reportedly have requested permission to interview New York Giants and former Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale for his or her vacant head teaching job. Martindale was with the Ravens from 2012 to 2021, teaching the crew’s linebackers for six years earlier than taking on as defensive coordinator in January 2018. The Ravens fired Martindale final January, and the Giants employed him to be defensive coordnator below below first-year coach Brian Daboll.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
