When a defense clicks, it’s often because the front seven is doing more than just holding the line-they’re dictating the game. Just look at what Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter did for the Texans this past season. That kind of pass-rushing duo doesn’t just pressure quarterbacks-it changes the entire feel of a defense.
Now, with the Packers bringing in Jonathan Gannon as their new defensive coordinator, fresh off his stint with the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay might be looking to build something similar. And there’s a name floating around that makes a lot of sense: Calais Campbell.
Yes, that Calais Campbell. The six-time Pro Bowler, approaching 40, still playing like he’s got plenty of gas left in the tank.
He’s set to hit free agency again, and while retirement has been a topic in recent years, the right situation could keep him on the field. Playing for Gannon again-this time in Green Bay, chasing a Super Bowl alongside Micah Parsons-might just be that situation.
It’s common for new coordinators to bring in familiar faces. Not just for talent, but for leadership and scheme translation.
Gannon knows what Campbell brings-he helped shape Arizona’s defense with Campbell as a key piece. And the numbers back it up: Campbell ranked third among all defensive tackles in ESPN’s pass rush win rate.
That’s not a small feat, especially at his age. He racked up 33 pressures, 18 hurries, 16 quarterback hits, and 6.5 sacks last season.
That’s high-level disruption from the interior.
And it’s not just about sacks. Campbell’s presence impacts everything-run fits, pocket integrity, even the way offenses game-plan for the front. He’s the kind of veteran who makes everyone around him better, and Gannon knows exactly how to use him.
For the Packers, who are still figuring out how best to deploy young edge talents like Lukas Van Ness and navigating the health of Rashan Gary, Campbell could be a stabilizing force. Whether it’s as a rotational piece or a starter opposite Parsons-who’s expected to return from a torn ACL next summer-Campbell could be the kind of savvy addition that tightens the screws on a defense trying to take the next step.
If Green Bay’s serious about building a defense that can go toe-to-toe with the league’s best, adding a proven game-wrecker like Campbell-especially one with ties to the new coordinator-might be more than just a smart move. It could be the missing piece.