The Baltimore Ravens made a big move to pluck an elite player from a losing team when they traded for former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell.
Baltimore traded a 2020 fifth-round pick to the Jaguars in exchange for Campbell, whom they subsequently signed to a two-year, $27 million with $20 million guaranteed.
During an appearance on the “Rapsheet and Friends” podcast, Campbell said he wanted to prioritize the opportunity to win over financial game, which is part of the reason he ended up in Baltimore, via Matthew Stevens of USA TODAY:
“Baltimore is a great opportunity for me,” Campbell said on the Rapsheet and Friends podcast. “On the football field, it’s very obvious. The team is 14-2, young and talented, full of potential. I know I bring some good things in that can add some value and hopefully get over the hump and go out there and hoist the Lombardi Trophy a year from now.”
Campbell said the trade was contingent on getting a contract extension done and it had to be done pretty quickly. While Campbell said his agent believed he could get more money elsewhere, it was winning that was his ultimate goal.
“I told him [Campbell’s agent] that ‘my main goal was to have a chance to win'”
Campbell not only gives the Ravens a former All-Pro end but also added roster flexibility.
The Ravens used the franchise tag on defensive end Matt Judon, but the acquisition of Campbell in addition to the signing of former Denver Broncos end Derek Wolfe might mean Baltimore will look to get trade value from Judon.
In any case, Campbell will likely have another chance to reach the mountaintop after joining the team that had the best record in 2019.
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