NFL Rumors: Calais Campbell Trade to Ravens Vetoed by Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel didn't want to lose defensive lineman Calais Campbell ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline, so he reportedly took matters into his own hands.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that McDaniel vetoed a trade that would have sent Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens. According to Rapoport, the head coach told the six-time Pro Bowler as much during a meeting.

A trade would have made sense at the time.

After all, the Dolphins were just 2-6 and seemingly well on their way to a lost season. Moving a veteran like Campbell could have accelerated a rebuild by clearing money off the books and, according to Rapoport, bringing in a 2026 fifth-round draft pick.

Yet McDaniel didn't want to lose one of the team leaders before the stretch run, and that decision is proving fruitful.

Miami has since won two in a row and is a home victory over the 3-8 New England Patriots away from improving to 5-6 and being more of a factor in the race for an AFC wild-card spot.

Campbell helped fuel the turnaround with a sack in the Nov. 11 victory over the Los Angeles Rams and another in the Nov. 17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. His presence also helps free up rushing lanes for his teammates because of the additional attention he attracts from opposing offensive lines, and Miami's defense gave up fewer than 20 points in each of the wins.

The Ravens are clearly aware of that type of impact as well, as Campbell helped anchor their defensive line for three seasons from 2020 to 2022. He was a Pro Bowler during that first season with Baltimore and helped lead the AFC North team to two playoff appearances.

He also played for the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons during his career but is still missing that elusive Super Bowl ring.

McDaniel made sure he is still chasing it in Miami, and a continued turnaround could have everyone on the Dolphins dreaming of a deep playoff run.