Defensive end Calais Campbell’s NFL career may be coming to an end after the 2026 season. The 39-year-old who signed with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency told reporters on Tuesday that he’s ready to hang up the cleats after nearly two decades in the league.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the news on Campbell on his X post. 

“Ravens DE Calais Campbell believes his 19th NFL season will be his final one,” posted Schefter on X yesterday. 

Campbell has made six Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team during his 18-year NFL career. His consistency and longevity make him a legitimate candidate for the Hall of Fame. 

On Tuesday, the defensive end told reporters that while he is planning for 2026 to be his final NFL year, he hasn’t ruled anything out just yet. 

“I always tell myself to play well enough to be able to get a job again if I want to,” said Campbell. “If I go out there and perform to the level I want to play, I’m probably going to have to turn somebody down next year. That’s the ideal scenario. As of right now, I’m playing this year as if it’s my last year.”

Campbell, who’ll be 40 years old by the time the 2026 season starts, will become one of the oldest players in the NFL. He entered the league as the second-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals during the 2008 NFL Draft.

The DE has played with multiple teams throughout his career: the Arizona Cardinals (2008-2016, 2025), the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-2019, the Baltimore Ravens (2020-2022), the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, and the Miami Dolphins in 2024. 

Josh Reed of the Baltimore Ravens on SI shared that Campbell is second all-time in regular games played by a defensive lineman with 278 games.

Given a healthy start to the 2026 season, Campbell could surpass the former Minnesota Vikings legend Jim Marshall, who is at the top with 282 games during the Ravens’ week 5 game. 

As Campbell aims for the Super Bowl with the Ravens during his likely final NFL year, fans took to social media to react to his career update.

Fans React to Campbell’s Retirement News 

After Campbell announced his retirement decision on Tuesday, fans took to Adam Schefter's X post to share their thoughts.

Many fans admired the veteran's journey in the NFL. 

“Average defensive end in this league lasts less than four years. To make it to 19 seasons is an amazing accomplishment all by itself,” commented a fan.

Another fan stated, “Respect. 19 seasons in the NFL is generational longevity. The DL rotations barely run 10 years nowadays.”

A section of fans pleaded with the veteran to make it to 20 NFL years. 

“Cmon bro, go for 20. You’re right there,” commented a fan.

A fan voiced the same opinion and wrote, “At this point he gotta go for 20 and back 2 back superbowls.”

A fan put Campbell’s longevity into perspective by comparing it to another NFL legend.

“Fun Fact: Calais Campbell was drafted in 2008. Patrick Mahomes was 12 years old.”

Campbell’s retirement announcement prompted fans to reflect on the DE’s career that stretched across multiple eras in the NFL.

Do you think Campbell should complete 20 seasons?

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi