Arizona Cardinals win with Calais Campbell signing: What’s next for defensive makeover?
The Arizona Cardinals’ decision to bring back veteran defensive end Calais Campbell for the 2025 NFL season has sent waves of excitement through the fanbase and signaled a bold shift in the franchise’s approach to building a dominant defense. At 38 years old, Campbell returns to where it all began, but this isn’t just a nostalgic move—it’s a strategic signing for a defense that desperately needs leadership, depth, and a new identity.
With Campbell in the fold, general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon have shown they’re serious about speeding up the rebuild. But Campbell is just one piece. What comes next for the Cardinals’ defensive makeover? Let’s break it all down.
A Full-Circle Moment for Calais Campbell
Drafted by Arizona in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Campbell spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Cardinals. He was a fan favorite and a cornerstone of their defensive identity, especially during their playoff runs in the early 2010s. Now, 16 years later, Campbell returns with a wealth of experience, six Pro Bowls, and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award to his name.
This move isn’t about sentimentality. Even at his advanced age, Campbell played in all 17 games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 and recorded 6.5 sacks, 34 tackles, and 12 quarterback hits. He still commands attention in the trenches and brings a level of professionalism and versatility that young teams crave.
For a team that ranked 31st in the NFL in total defense last year, Campbell’s leadership and ability to mentor younger players will be invaluable.
Building a Defensive Identity
Under Gannon—a former defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles—Arizona is in the midst of constructing a hard-nosed, fast, and opportunistic defensive unit. The process is far from complete, but key moves this offseason, headlined by Campbell, indicate a clear direction.
Gannon’s preference for hybrid fronts and relentless pressure demands smart, disciplined defenders who can line up in multiple positions. Campbell checks every one of those boxes. He can play 3-4 defensive end, slide inside on passing downs, and even anchor the edge against the run.
More importantly, his presence elevates the standard in the locker room. For young players like Zaven Collins, Cameron Thomas, and BJ Ojulari, the opportunity to learn from a veteran of Campbell’s stature is an invaluable part of their growth.
Bolstering the Front Seven
Campbell’s signing gives the Cardinals a significant boost on the defensive line, but it’s clear they’re not done retooling their front seven.
Defensive Line Depth Chart Outlook:
- Calais Campbell
- Jonathan Ledbetter
- Dante Stills
- Kevin Strong
- Leki Fotu (re-signed)
- Phil Hoskins
While Campbell offers veteran savvy, the rest of the unit still lacks consistent impact. Expect the Cardinals to pursue at least one more interior lineman or edge player in the 2025 NFL Draft, particularly one with pass-rush upside. Day 2 could be a sweet spot for Arizona to land a high-motor, versatile defensive lineman.
Names to watch include Alabama’s Justin Eboigbe, Oregon’s Brandon Dorlus, and Missouri’s Darius Robinson. Each offers the type of scheme flexibility and upside Gannon covets.
Linebacker Corps Still Under Construction
The linebackers remain a work-in-progress for the Cardinals. Last season, Zaven Collins transitioned to outside linebacker, and while he showed flashes, he remains a project. Kyzir White, before his season-ending injury, was Arizona’s best off-ball linebacker, and he’s expected to return healthy in 2025.
Rookie standout Owen Pappoe was another bright spot, showing explosive speed and instincts. But overall, the unit lacks depth and a true sideline-to-sideline enforcer in the middle.
Don’t be surprised if the Cardinals spend a mid-round pick on an athletic inside linebacker or target a veteran free agent still on the market, such as Shaquille Leonard or Deion Jones, to provide leadership and depth.
Secondary Needing Playmakers
While much of the focus has been on the front seven, the Cardinals’ secondary remains a concern. Budda Baker continues to anchor the back end, but the two-time All-Pro safety has openly voiced his frustration in recent years, and 2025 could be a make-or-break season for his future in Arizona.
Cornerback play was wildly inconsistent in 2024. Garrett Williams showed promise as a rookie, and Marco Wilson regressed after a strong 2023. Free agent addition Sean Murphy-Bunting didn’t live up to expectations, leading to speculation that Arizona could target a cornerback early in the draft.
In fact, many mock drafts have linked Arizona to Alabama corner Kool-Aid McKinstry or Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell in the second round. Either would immediately compete for a starting job and inject some much-needed physicality and ball skills into the defensive backfield.
Draft Capital to Accelerate the Rebuild
Arizona holds two first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft thanks to the Houston Texans trade involving quarterback C.J. Stroud in 2023. That flexibility could prove critical to completing the defensive overhaul.
Most analysts expect the Cardinals to use one of those first-rounders on an offensive weapon—perhaps Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka or Georgia TE Brock Bowers—but the other could be used to land a premium defender.
Targets could include:
- Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State) – A violent pass rusher who would pair nicely with Campbell’s mentorship.
- Jer’Zhan Newton (DT, Illinois) – A disruptive force in the middle, ideal for collapsing pockets.
- Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama) – An explosive athlete who fits the “multiple front” identity Gannon is trying to create.
Arizona’s ability to land at least one Day 1 starter on defense from this draft will define how quickly the unit can return to respectability.
Veterans on Watch
The arrival of Campbell may also put pressure on a few current Cardinals to raise their game or risk being pushed off the roster. Players like Victor Dimukeje, Leki Fotu, and even Dennis Gardeck may find their roles reduced if Arizona brings in more talent through the draft or late free agency.
Expect Gannon to hold an open competition throughout training camp. The message is clear: nobody’s job is safe on this defense anymore.
Calais Campbell’s Off-Field Impact
One often overlooked aspect of Campbell’s return is his impact off the field. Widely respected across the league, he brings not only leadership but a mentorship mentality. His locker-room presence can have a stabilizing effect on a young, evolving roster. He’s also a cultural tone-setter, something Gannon has been desperate to establish in Year 2 of his tenure.
Campbell is also heavily involved in charitable efforts and community leadership. His return could reignite local interest in a team that struggled both on the field and in the stands last year. For a franchise trying to reestablish credibility and culture, this signing is an invaluable step forward.
The Gannon Factor
Jonathan Gannon took a lot of heat in his first season as head coach, finishing with a 4-13 record. But the reality is, few expected much more. The roster was gutted, Kyler Murray was injured for much of the year, and the defense lacked depth at every level.
Still, Gannon’s defensive mind is well respected, and he now has the beginning of a toolkit to work with. He was instrumental in developing talent in Philadelphia, helping shape players like Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, and James Bradberry into elite contributors. If Campbell can become the veteran glue while Gannon molds younger stars, the Cardinals’ defense may surprise people in 2025.
A Message to the Locker Room—and the League
By signing Campbell, the Cardinals are sending a message: rebuilding doesn’t mean rolling over. There’s pride in this franchise, and it’s time to reestablish the grit and fire that defined the team during the Bruce Arians years.
Arizona’s brass isn’t just collecting young talent—they’re investing in character, leadership, and culture. That’s how sustainable defenses are built.
And make no mistake: while this is clearly a foundational year in a multi-step process, the Cardinals want to compete sooner than later. With Kyler Murray healthy and the offense starting to gel under coordinator Drew Petzing, a top-20 defense might be enough to push Arizona into wild-card contention. Campbell’s addition inches them closer to that threshold.
The Calais Campbell signing is more than a feel-good reunion. It’s a calculated, strategic move by a franchise eager to accelerate its rebuild and instill a new identity on defense. Paired with a high-impact draft class and potential veteran additions at linebacker and corner, the Cardinals’ defense could look dramatically different—and more dangerous—come Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Campbell’s return to Arizona marks a full-circle moment for one of the league’s most respected veterans. But more importantly, it might also be the spark that ignites the Cardinals’ next great defensive era.
The work isn’t done yet. But for the first time in a long time, there’s a real blueprint in place. And it starts with No. 93 back in the red and white.
