Jaguars may turn to Calais Campbell to recruit free agents
By David Levin
The Jacksonville Jaguars may ask defensive end, Calais Campbell, to help the organization recruit potential free agents to sign this offseason.
Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell was asked to come in after the 2016 season and help the team’s struggling defense find its way. Now, after two seasons where he has led the team in sacks and become the team’s leader on the field and in the locker room, the Pro Bowler may be asked to fill another role with the franchise.
Can he help recruit pending free agents to come down to North Florida and change the culture of this organization once again? It’s a tough job, asking players who want big money for their efforts to come to a situation where there are issues with the offense and changes to be had on defense.
If there is anyone on this roster who is up for the challenge, it is Campbell, who has led by example since he arrived in the summer of 2017 and quickly established himself as the man who everyone respects in the locker room and on the playing field.
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Campbell said he will gladly help if it means winning more than five games in 2019.
"“You have to sell the free agents on coming here and being a part of this,” Campbell said via ESPN.com. “Hopefully we can get this done. Because it’s not just pursuing a guy; the guy has to want to come here, too, even if I have to help and try to call guys.“I feel like we have a good thing going and we can definitely get this going back right.”"
Campbell has preached this short offseason he believes there is plenty of talent to get this team back to the playoffs. He thinks the core of players is solid and just needs to recommit to winning as an organization. Changes are on the horizon, where many spots will be filled by other players this coming season.
Campbell could have a chance to talk about his experience as a free agent two years ago and how his choice of the Jaguars was a turning point in his career and the franchise.
He is by far the greatest free agent signing in team history. This is a team that needs help on both sides of the ball.
"Per Michael DiRocco’s story, “The defense didn’t force turnovers or sack the quarterback at the same rate it did in 2017, but it still ranked in the top five in total defense (No. 5), pass defense (No. 2) and scoring defense (No. 4). Though the team is expected to release defensive tackle Malik Jackson and possibly safety Tashaun Gipson and nose tackle Marcell Dareus, the unit will largely return intact.”"
dark. Next. Where do the Jaguars rank after the 2018 season?
In two seasons, Campbell has played in the Pro Bowl for the Jaguars and has led them in sacks with 25 over that stretch. The Monday following the Jaguars season finale, he announced he would be returning to Jacksonville for a third season and said he may be willing to restructure his contract if it meant bringing help to the roster.