Calais Campbell, known for his strong work ethic and emphasis on accountability, chose to sign with the Miami Dolphins to compete at the highest level. Speaking on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Campbell expressed that his passion for football outweighs the financial aspect. He turned down higher-paying offers because he felt that under Coach McDaniel and Coach Weaver, and with the talented team assembled, he has his best chance at securing a Super Bowl win, which is his ultimate goal.
Previously, Campbell experienced the Super Bowl shortly after his rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals, losing narrowly to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. He also reached the NFC Championship with the Cardinals in 2016 and the AFC Championship with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 but fell short each time.
For the 2024 season, Campbell agreed to a one-year contract with the Dolphins, earning a base salary of $1.2 million, the minimum for veteran players, along with a $795,000 signing bonus, setting his cap number at $2 million for the year as reported by spotrac.com. This figure marks a decrease from the $7 million he earned last season with the Atlanta Falcons, where he recorded 6.5 sacks. Over his career, Campbell has amassed earnings exceeding $140 million.
Returning to Miami is also a sentimental homecoming for Campbell, who played his college football at the University of Miami. He expressed a deep affection for the city and its fans, and he believes the current Dolphins team has a special quality, highlighted by standout players and a collective mindset of determined resilience.
Among his teammates, Campbell highlighted the leadership of Jalen Ramsey, noting Ramsey’s evolution into a more prominent leadership role, energizing the team and maintaining focus. Campbell praised the team’s practice intensity and shared commitment to excellence.
Campbell underscored the Dolphins’ culture of mutual accountability as a key motivator for his decision, emphasizing the shared vision and standards all players are expected to uphold. He feels a strong personal responsibility to maintain high performance levels, reflecting his dedication to both his team and his aspirations for a championship.