The Indianapolis Colts wanted to sign veteran defensive linemen, Calais Campbell, but he decided to rejoin the Baltimore Ravens.
This offseason, it seems the Indianapolis Colts have had a pretty straightforward plan: go after veteran defenders and wait until the draft to build up the offense.
Aside from Matt Ryan, Indianapolis hasn’t made any external offensive acquisitions. On defense, however, Indy has added Yannick Ngakoue, Brandon Facyson, Armani Watts, and Rodney McLeod, and they were rumored to be pursuing Tyrann Mathieu.
Now, it has been reported that the Colts also were attempting to add veteran defensive lineman, Calais Campbell. Campbell ultimately re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens but Josina Anderson reported that Indy was a team that tried to pull him away.
A source also tells me that Calais Campbell had interest from other teams: the #Colts, the #Browns and the #Chiefs. However, the #Ravens were the most aggressive in getting it done now and in bringing Campbell home. @AdamSchefter was first to report the agreement.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 9, 2022
Calais Campbell chose Ravens over Colts and others
Campbell, who will be 36 when the season starts, returned to the Ravens on a two-year deal worth up to $16.5 million. As highlighted in Anderson’s tweet, that was likely the best deal for Campbell.
Campbell is a six-time Pro Bowler and has got better with age. He made four-straight Pro Bowls from 2017 to 2020. Over the last two years in Baltimore, Campbell has recorded 5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, and 22 quarterback hits.
That production certainly would’ve been welcomed by the Colts. Putting Campbell on a defensive line with DeForest Buckner, Yannick Ngakoue, and young talent Kwity Paye would have been a good idea.
Even if Campbell isn’t the same defensive lineman he was a few seasons ago, it’s easy to see the vision Indy had in mind. However, Indianapolis will have to explore another vision.
The Colts already have good talent on the defensive line and there’s a chance that they add more during the Draft. General manager, Chris Ballard, has shown that he likes to draft defensive linemen, so missing out on Campbell may make that even more of an option later into the draft.
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