The Falcons didn’t have many free agents that were worth bringing back under new head coach Raheem Morris.
The bulk of the roster is under contract, but there was one free agent, in particular, that the entire fan base is hoping will return — Calais Campbell, who shocked the NFL world when he decided to sign with the Falcons last offseason.
The 37-year-old led the Falcons with 6.5 sacks in his 16th season while also crossing the 100-sack threshold for his career. As he mulls over retirement, Terry Fontenot made it well known to Campbell that the Falcons would love to have him back in Atlanta.
“The last time I talked to Terry [Fontenot], he told me to let him know when I know,” Campbell said earlier in the offseason via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the Falcons’ interest in him if he decides against retiring. “He was definitely eager to get me back if I want to play football again, but he was going to respect my process and let me go through it the way I go through it.”
Campbell finished with 56 tackles, 10 for a loss, and 17 quarterback hits along with those 6.5 sacks. He’s very clearly still got some left in the tank and seemingly has a standing offer from the Falcons because Raheem Morris confirmed as much at the owner’s meetings in Orlando.
Calais Campbell started all 17 games, providing immense value on and off the field. He was expected to be a prime candidate to return on a new deal if Arthur Smith and Ryan Nielsen had retained their positions. That’s no longer the case, but it doesn’t phase the preference of Falcons fans.
Everyone in Atlanta wants the big man back for one last ride. The defense sure as hell could use the addition.
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