The saga of Calais Campbell’s free agency is over. After reportedly getting cold feet on a potential deal with Jacksonville, Campbell will in fact be signing with the Jaguars. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the deal will be for four years and $60 million, with $30 million guaranteed.
After considering Denver, Calais Campbell is going to sign a 4-year, $60 million deal that includes $30M gtd with Jacksonville, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
Campbell had eight sacks last season and has made the Pro Bowl in two of the last three years.
In the short-term, Jacksonville’s defensive line looks great. A four-man front featuring Campbell, Malik Jackson, Dante Fowler and Yannick Ngakoue has the potential to be one of the best in the league if Fowler and Ngakoue live up to their potentials. As always, however, there are lingering questions.
Fowler and Ngakoue both flashed ability at times last season, but they have a long way to go on the whole. They finished the year with grades of 55.6 and 41.3, respectively, according to Pro Football Focus. Campbell also won’t be productive for the length of this deal. He’ll be 31 next season, and it seems likely that Jacksonville was able to procure his services by giving him four years instead of a shorter deal.
However, the talent is enticing. If things go well for new head coach Doug Marrone — though historically, wondering if things will go well in Jacksonville is akin to wondering if it will snow in Miami — there is enough talent to compete.