Calais Campbell Discusses Retirement Plans Ahead of 2026 NFL Season with Ravens

Calais Campbell is gearing up for his 19th NFL season, and he says that it will likely be his last.

The Baltimore Ravens' defensive end told reporters Tuesday that he feels "as strongly as ever" that he will retire following the 2026 campaign.

"I always tell myself -- and this year I feel it as strongly as ever -- that this is probably going to be my last year," Campbell said. "I know I said that last year and the year before, but I genuinely meant it at the time. I always tell myself to play well enough to be able to get a job again if I want to. 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 will be 40 by the start of the 2026 season, making him one of the oldest players in the NFL. Still, he played 17 games for the Arizona Cardinals last year, recording 43 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

He signed a one-year deal with the Ravens in April, marking his second stint with the team after he played in Baltimore from 2020 to 2022.

Campbell, a six-time Pro Bowler, will look to make what could be his final season a good one and aid the Ravens in their quest for a Super Bowl.