Calais Campbell is weighing his options as the Arizona Cardinals’ season ends, considering whether to retire or return for a 19th NFL year. The veteran defensive lineman, who is 39 years old, said he plans to take time after Sunday’s final game in Los Angeles before making a decision.
“It’s not a personal decision, it’s a decision everybody has some kind of interest in,” Campbell said. “I try to be respectful (answering questions), but I have to go through my process. I don’t know if I’m going to retire or not because I don’t know how my body is going to feel.
“Right now I feel good enough to play a football game, and that matters most because I want to be available and healthy.”
Campbell will complete his 18th season having played every game this year. His career total will reach 278 games, putting him just behind Bruce Smith (279) and four away from Jim Marshall’s record for defensive linemen at 282 games. This season, Campbell ranks second on the team with six-and-a-half sacks and has contributed by blocking both a field goal and an extra point.
Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis praised Campbell’s consistency and leadership: “He shows up every day and does the right thing. Practices hard, studies hard, knows his assignments, and I think he’s just been a good example as the standard of what being a pro looks like. He is a very good outgoing leader who is very intentional of bringing people around with him.”
Campbell noted that in recent years he has made his decisions about continuing his career within about a month after the season ends. He emphasized wanting any potential end to be on his own terms: “The biggest thing is if I do want to play football again, I give myself the opportunities to play football again. I try to always sign my work and play at a level that they want me back. Even if I decide not to play again, I want to have the ability to say no, rather than them saying, ‘See you later.'”
Campbell will become a free agent ahead of next season and acknowledged that returning would not necessarily mean playing for Arizona again. Despite the team’s struggles this year, he described his homecoming as successful aside from their record.
After the season concludes, Campbell said he plans little activity except watching playoff games—an experience that has influenced past decisions about returning.
“I’ve always tried to play well enough that I have a choice,” Campbell said. “I think I did well enough this year that I will have a choice. That’s a good feeling.”
In other team news, tight end Trey McBride was awarded the Lloyd Herberg MVP award by the Arizona chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America for being named the team’s best player in 2025. Tackle Paris Johnson Jr. received the Steve Schoenfeld Good Guy Award for his cooperation and insight with media members.
