The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't add a defensive tackle early in the NFL Draft. Sure, they eventually took Albert Regis at No. 88 but also passed on the top prospects of this year's class. And if the Jags wanted to sign a veteran to bolster the interior defensive line, they have one fewer option after the Baltimore Ravens locked up Calais Campbell.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Baltimore reached a one-year deal with Campbell. Now, there are no signs that Jacksonville wanted to bring back The Mayor, but if it did, it will have to look somewhere else for help at defensive tackle.
Why the Jaguars might have passed on signing Calais Campbell
Even though Calais Campbell is 39, he showed in 2025 that he still has plenty of football left, registering 6.5 sacks with the Arizona Cardinals. Heck, the former All-Pro has racked up a combined 23.5 sacks the past four seasons. This begs the question, why didn't the Jaguars make an attempt to bring him back?
There's no doubt that Calais Campbell could have helped the Jags, but they might've wanted to get younger at defensive tackle, having just traded for Ruke Orhorhoro and taking Albert Regist in Round 3 of the draft. Had Jacksonville brought in the six-time Pro Bowl nod, his younger counterparts might not have gotten much playing time.
On the other hand, there's also a chance that Campbell's age could catch up to him anytime, as Father Time remains undefeated. This doesn't mean he won't help the Ravens, but rather that the Jaguars didn't see him as a fit.
Now, Campbell gets to play for the team that traded for him in 2020. That's right. The former Miami Hurricane went to the Arizona Cardinals in Round 2 of the 2008 draft and signed with the Jags in 2017. He went on to post a career-best 14.5 sacks in his first season in Duval and became an integral piece of the Sacksonville defense.
However, then-general manager Dave Caldwell didn't feel enthused about giving Campbell an extension in 2020, so instead shipped him to the Ravens in exchange for a third-round selection. There was chatter of a potential reunion in 2023, but it never materialized.
What options do the Jaguars have at DT with Calais Campbell off the market?
The fact that the Jaguars passed up the chance to trade up for Kayden McDonald or Christen Miller in Round 2 and waited instead to take Albert Regis at No. 81 may be a sign that they're confident Ruke Orhorhoro will help them fix their roster void at defensive tackle. This, in turn, might have made an unnecessary addition.
But with Campbell off the table, the Jags have fewer options in case they want to bring in external help at defensive tackle. Following the draft, D.J. Reader or Daquan Jones may be the best options available.
In the end, it's possible that the Ravens' signing of Calais Campbell won't affect the Jaguars at all. Worst-case scenario, they'll have to look somewhere else for reinforcements at defensive tackle.
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