A six-time Pro Bowler and the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Campbell has enjoyed a fantastic career. He’s racked up 105.5 sacks and is tied for second all time with three career safeties.
But there’s one big box he hasn’t checked off: that elusive Super Bowl victory. He reached the game as a rookie with the Arizona Cardinals in 2008 and was able to play in two conference championship games thereafter. He’s hoping this latest opportunity will be his best.
“There is also that level of I haven’t had a chance to play in that big game since my rookie year, and coming to a team like this, I feel like there’s an opportunity there,” Campbell said. “Obviously, everybody feels like they have an opportunity to hoist a Lombardi Trophy right now; all 32 teams are competing with the mindset that they can be the team. It’s hard, right?
“I’ve been playing for a long time, and I felt like I had some teams that were worthy of it, and we didn’t get there. We didn’t get it done. It has to be more than that, but that’s a big part of it, believing that this team has a chance, and I believe that I can help, given who I am today. I can bring a lot of value.”
Even with that, Campbell said he wouldn’t have plunged into another season if his desire to continue playing didn’t still burn hot within him.
“But what keeps me going though is a love for the game. Love for the game is No. 1,” he said. “I really am just like a true fan that’s lucky enough to play.
“I talk to guys that are younger. They’re like, ‘Man, why are you still doing this?’ ‘Cause I love it and I’m still good at it. I don’t want to suck at it though. That’s for sure. If I ever feel like my play is dropping, I can’t be that guy and I can’t still deliver in big moments, then it’d be time to hang it up.”
That time is not yet here.