Calais Campbell isn’t focused on what comes next. The veteran defensive tackle knows he’ll be playing for the Miami Dolphins against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, but beyond that, he isn’t sure.
“I’m cherishing this moment,” Campbell said after practice on Wednesday. “I feel like this team is so much better than how we’ve been playing.”
Before the trade deadline, the Dolphins almost traded Campbell to Baltimore, but coach Mike McDaniel stepped in and stopped the deal. McDaniel argued that Miami — at that point 2-6 — still had time to turn things around.
“It speaks to what he means to the team, that teams would be willing to do that,” McDaniel said in November. “And there was some competition for that. But yeah, my job is to speak on behalf of what’s the best thing for the 2024 Dolphins.”
Campbell mentioned on Wednesday that he and the Dolphins might talk about releasing him so he can join a playoff-contending team if Miami (6-8) is soon out of the playoff race.
“Weeks back before the trade deadline and stuff, there was a small conversation that you really didn’t hope would ever even become a thing,” Campbell said. “And it was kind of like just something to talk about. Nothing concrete or anything like that. I don’t know if we’re there just yet, but it’s definitely something you think about.”
After last week’s loss to Houston, the playoffs are unlikely for the Dolphins. It’s still possible for Miami to make it to the postseason for the third year in a row if they win their final three games and get help from other teams losing. The Dolphins will host San Francisco on Sunday, then finish the season with games at Cleveland and against the New York Jets.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Miami needs to move past the disappointing loss to the Texans, where the offense had four turnovers. However, he believes the team hasn’t given up on the season.
“I think what’s so cool is there’s so many guys that have played in the league for some time in this locker room,” Tagovailoa said, “to where they also understand the magnitude of ‘if I lay down,’ what that looks like. We all make a living playing this game.”
Campbell played for Baltimore from 2020 to 2022 and spent the first nine years of his 17-year career with Arizona, where he went to the Super Bowl and lost to Pittsburgh as a rookie in 2008. He hasn’t returned to the Super Bowl since then.
Campbell said he doesn’t “live with regret” when asked if he wishes he had joined a contending team back in November.
“There’s no wrong decision,” he said. “You just make a decision and you rock with it. … I came here to the Dolphins with a year-long commitment to go out here and compete and try to make the playoffs. That job’s technically not done yet. We still have a shot, so, you know, I’m committed.”
Campbell is third on the Dolphins with four sacks. The six-time Pro Bowler has 43 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, and a forced fumble this season.
Campbell said he has thought about retirement but hasn’t decided yet whether he’ll play another season. If he does continue playing, he hasn’t ruled out a possible return to Miami. He signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in June.
“This locker room, group of guys, coaching staff, I’ve had a great experience,” Campbell said. “I wish we won a few more ball games this year, but it’s definitely a great place to play football. I’ve loved it here so far.
Finishing the year strong and having a chance to make the playoffs would be sweet. If the time comes and I decide to play football again, this is definitely a place I love playing.”
