The Lions are preparing for the playoffs with a stranglehold on the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They’re favored to win the conference for good reason, though the front office is still reportedly eyeing an addition that could push the team over the top.
Dolphins star DT Calais Campbell is expected to be released once Miami is eliminated from the postseason so he can join a contender. At 38 years old, he’s likely only got one shot left to finally hoist a Lombardi Trophy.
Considering how close Detroit is to finally winning its first Super Bowl in franchise history, acquiring Campbell is the kind of story that’s almost too good to be true.
Lions Reportedly Pursuing All-Pro DT Calais Campbell for Playoffs
This is an interesting situation, because reports suggest that Campbell won’t be released until Miami is mathmatically out of it. For all intents and purposes, the Dolphins are already eliminated, yet that slimmer of hope hamstrings the front office’s decisions.
Considering the long list of defensive injuries the Lions have dealt with in recent weeks, it’s hard to overstate how impactful adding someone like Campbell could be. Unfortuantely, Detroit has to wait until potentially after Week 18 for the six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro to be released.
“The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are also expected to be interested,” Omar Kelly of The Miami Herald reported. “(They) might put in a waiver claim to strengthen their cause, and prevent a front runner like the Chiefs from adding the defensive lineman who ranks third in active sacks.”
Signing Campbell would not only bolster the Lions’ defensive line that’s still dealing with Aidan Hutchinson’s absence, but it’d also prevent a division rival in the Vikings and a theoretical Super Bowl opponent in the Chiefs from acquiring him.
Throughout his storied 17-year career, Campbell has a remarkable 911 tackles and 109.5 sacks. He has a legitimate Hall of Fame case that would be cemented with a Super Bowl victory. Hutchinson may be back for the final game should Detroit make it that far, and it’s easy to imagine him pairing with Campbell to create a fearsome defensive front.
Even at his age, Campbell is still an effective player with four sacks on the campaign. Perhaps no team would benefit more from his addition, so the Lions need to do everything in their power to acquire him once he’s ultimately released.
