The Detroit Lions are thirsty for revenge after a fairly disappointing 2025 campaign. As such, they can't rest on their laurels and afford to roll into next season with the same glaring holes and issues on their roster.
Considering that, they desperately need to bolster their pass-rushing unit. They didn't do much in that regard during the 2026 NFL Draft, but there are still some suitable short-term options available in free agency.
Now that the dust has settled from the draft, Dan Campbell and GM Brian Holmes should get Calais Campbell on the phone. He's clearly not the youngest guy out there, but one couldn't tell by his tape and statistics.
The Lions Should Sign Calais Campbell
Campbell continues to perform at an outstanding level despite his age. He can give the Lions a strong situational piece in the interior of the defensive line, given his ability to keep the quarterback on his toes and wreak havoc inside. He's always been one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the game, and he can also still hold his ground against the run at this point in his career.
He's coming off 35 total tackles, nine QB hits, and 6.5 sacks for the unimpressive Arizona Cardinals defense last season. Notably, his 72.2 Pro Football Focus grade ranked 26th among 134 eligible defensive linemen, which is actually a down year by his standards. That's the type of disruptive defensive force he's always been.
The Lions don't have much depth in the interior of the defensive line. He can be out there alongside Alim McNeill as a situational guy; given his age, they will probably have to manage his snaps to keep him fresh and healthy.
That said, Campbell is one of the best defensive linemen of his generation, and the Lions desperately crave some punch and physicality there. Tyleik Williams and Levi Onwuzurike don't make for an intimidating unit. Combine those issues with a shaky secondary, and giving opposing quarterbacks a clean pocket is a recipe for disaster, especially in the NFC North.
According to Spotrac, Campbell has a projected market value of $10.9 million per year. Admittedly, that's a bit steep for a soon-to-be 40-year-old defensive tackle. Nevertheless, there's absolutely nothing about his tape or his numbers that suggests he's slowing down or can't be as impactful in the interior of the defensive line as he's been over his nearly two decades in the league.
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