3 former Jacksonville Jaguars we'd like to see return in 2024

2. Calais Campbell, defensive end

If you think of the renowned Sacksonville defense, defensive end Calais Campbell will surely be the first player that comes to mind. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey probably comes in second but there's no doubt the player known as the Mayor had a huge impact during his stint with the Jaguars.

Although Campbell was a good player before landing in Jacksonville, he didn't have a huge profile around the league. That changed as soon as he helped the Jaguars make it to the AFC Championship in 2017. Along the way, he set a new franchise record for sacks in a season with 14.5 — since broken by Josh Allen — and was named First-Team All-Pro, along with Jalen Ramsey. No other Jaguar player would get such an illustrious designation until long-snapper Ross earned it in 2023.

Even though the Jags came crashing down in 2018, Campbell was his productive self, registering 10.5 sacks. The following year, he won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his work with the community. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough in the eyes of the former regime and he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in 2020.

After three years with the Ravens, Campbell became a free agent in 2023. And for a brief time, it seemed like a reunion with the Jags was on the table. The veteran even met with the team's brass but ultimately left without a deal. He then signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he went on to have a solid year under defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Campbell is once again a free agent, and maybe now that Nielsen is in charge of the defense, he and the Jaguars can work something out.