3 Observations on Calais Campbell Not Signing With the Jaguars

What does Calais Campbell's non-signing with the Jaguars mean?

Despite the Jacksonville Jaguars' best efforts, the next time Calais Campbell suits up at TIAA Bank Field, it will be as an Atlanta Falcon.

Campbell reportedly agreed to terms with the Falcons on a one-year deal on Wednesday, ending the Jaguars' pursuit of their former Pro Bowl defensive lineman. 

“Obviously, he’s a player that was here at one point in time in his career, had a great experience in Jacksonville. We’re certainly going to compete for that, to bring him back,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke told the Florida Times-Union this week.

"I think the best thing for everybody was to let him go out and visit his other options," Baalke said. "And I've always respected the player in these situations because it's a big decision ... we agreed to revisit it when he got done with his meetings and we got back from the owners meetings."

Now that Campbell will look to go elsewhere, what can we make of the non-signing and what it means for the Jaguars moving forward? We break it down with our thoughts below.

The context of what a Calais Campbell signing would have really meant is important to remember

The news of Campbell opting to sign with the Falcons is likely going to be seen as a deflating blow from fans for a number of reasons. Campbell was a beloved player in Jacksonville, and it surely didn't seem like the Jaguars thought they were out of the running. But while not landing Campbell is disappointing, is it worth putting into context what his potential signing would have really meant.

Wednesday surely doesn't feel like a win for the Jaguars, but Campbell is a 36-year-old who will be 37 during the 2023 season. The Jaguars need pass-rush help, and Campbell would have been a great leadership addition to the locker room, but Campbell also isn't the pass-rusher he used to be. His final season in Jacksonville produced his lowest sack total since 2015, and he averaged fewer than four sacks a year with the Ravens.

Campbell signed a one-year deal with the Falcons for a reason: he isn't the splash, X-Factor he was when he signed with the Jaguars as a big-name free-agent six years ago. He is still an excellent player and would have brought a lot of value to the Jaguars, but he wouldn't have fixed all of their issues, nor would he have been a long-term option. Had Campbell not been seen as such a cherished ex-player in Jacksonville, this non-signing is likely looked at a bit differently. 

Pass-rusher is arguably the top need heading into April

Like we said before, Campbell was never going to serve as the savior to the Jaguars' pass-rush woes. He would have been a good addition in terms of leadership and potential interior rush versatility, but he isn't the pass-rusher he was in 2017; he is nearly 37, after all. Still, Campbell would have helped the Jaguars' stomach the loss of Arden Key and Dawuane Smoot, and the Jaguars' interest in him shows that he was at least partly in their plans. 

With Campbell now no longer an option, the Jaguars have two routes: they could go for a veteran free-agent pass-rusher like Frank Clark, Melvin Ingram or Justin Houston, or they could address the need early in the 2023 NFL Draft, likely with either the No. 24 or No. 56 picks. Either way, the Jaguars today do not have four starting-quality pass-rushers on their roster, and they are putting far too much pressure on Travon Walker and Josh Allen to not only fuel the entire pass-rush, but to stay healthy for an entire season. Cornerback is a huge need, but pass-rush may be even bigger after today.

What this means for the perception of the Jaguars' offseason

The Jaguars have had one of the quietest offseasons in the NFL this year. They have gotten some juice from the reinstatement of Calvin Ridley, who has since met with Doug Pederson and Baalke at TIAA Bank Field. But otherwise, the Jaguars' offseason has basically been a series of re-signings of depth players, a franchise tag for tight end Evan Engram, and a few backup defensive linemen and a running back signed. 

Adding Campbell on a one-year deal wouldn't have been the splash move to put the Jaguars' roster over the top as they push for another AFC South title and hopeful Super Bowl contention this year, but it at least would have helped the Jaguars on the public perception front, especially after they lost two popular players in Jawaan Taylor and Arden Key.

The Jaguars shouldn't be criticized for not making any huge because this was never the offseason to do so, but a Campbell signing would have likely made a quiet and boring offseason into a positive one in the eyes of fans. Now, the 2023 offseason will mostly be remembered for Ridley and the draft, and not much else.