Calais Campbell could still impact the Jacksonville Jaguars this season

The impact of former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell could be felt during the 2020 NFL season.

It’s hard for me to be mad with former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell for wanting a chance to win football games. Here in Jacksonville, playing for the Jaguars would not have accomplished that goal in 2020.

In a recent story on NFL.com by Jelani Scott, it was revealed that being traded to the Baltimore Ravens this offseason gives the veteran a “chance to win” and a potential path to the Super Bowl. Campbell played for the Lombardi Trophy in 2008 as a rookie with the Arizona Cardinals on a team that lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As a veteran who is on the backside of his career, a ring is more important to the reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year than more dollars in his bank account.

"“Campbell revealed that he first became aware that he could be traded around Pro Bowl time in February,” Scott wrote. “Upon finding out that the finalization of the Baltimore trade was contingent on him and his new team working out an extension, the hulking defensive end let it be known that winning was more important than the figures on his contract at this stage of his career.”"

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• Jacksonville Jaguars land DeAndre Hopkins in trade proposal to stop the KC Chiefs
• The Jaguars may look for edge rushers with pick 24
• NFL free agency felt like a whirlwind for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram in 2022
• Jacksonville Jaguars in position to let RT Jawaan Taylor hit free agency in 2023
• Jaguars GM Trent Baalke hopes HC Doug Pederson has trust in him

Campbell was everything the Jaguars needed in a leader on and off the field. And as a person, there are few who are as good-natured. As I wrote before, I audibly screamed and woke the dead upon hearing that Jacksonville had sent their “Big Man” to the Ravens for a paltry fifth-round draft pick.

As we have also discussed, Campbell leaves a legacy in three short seasons in Jacksonville and a leadership void that will be hard to fill.

The former Miami Hurricanes star has helped other Jaguars in his tenure in North Florida become better players and his advice about preparing for life after football has proven invaluable as has been stated in the locker room. But not seeing No. 93 inside TIAA Bank Field this coming season is a hard pill to swallow for fans who love that big grin and bad attitude on game day.

"“Obviously, this is a business and you got to think about the financial reward that comes from the value I bring, but, at the same time, I made a lot of money in this league and I only got so many prime years left,” he added. “I want to really capitalize on this one and I feel like Baltimore was a great choice. And they still paid me pretty good so it’s not too bad.”"

The Jacksonville Jaguars are rebuilding a brand that was broken the past two seasons. The roster has gotten much younger and the defense that was once one of the best in the NFL is a shell of its former self. The players who are still there like Josh Allen, Taven Bryan and potentially Yannick Ngakoue will hopefully take the lessons they have learned from Campbell and apply them to help Jacksonville dig itself out of a pit of misery.

Even if Campbell isn’t playing in a Jaguars uniform, it’s possible his lasting impression can still help this team win football games this coming season.