GLENDALE – Last Sunday was a historic day for Arizona Cardinals big, bad defensive lineman Calais Campbell. The 39-year-old is still as dominant as ever, recording two sacks vs. the Carolina Panthers, including a game-sealing nine-yard sack on 4th down. The sack didn’t just secure the Cardinals their first 2-0 start since 2021, but it moved Campbell up multiple all-time lists.
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Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) celebrates his sack with teammate Budda Baker (3) as they play against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on Sept 14, 2025.
The 18-year pro recorded his 29.5 and 30.5 sacks in State Farm Stadium in Week 2, passing former Arizona linebacker Chandler Jones for the most all-time sacks in the stadium’s history. The final sack on Sunday was Campbell’s 112.5 in his career and moved him up to 26th on the all-time sacks leaderboard, passing Jones, Aaron Donald and Justin Houston.
Campbell helping Cardinals in more ways than one:
General manager Monti Ossenfort couldn’t have expected the six-time Pro Bowler to still be able to have this great of an impact this late in his career. However, Campbell has overdelivered in that aspect, while being a locker room leader and adds maturity to this young defense.
Sep 14, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) and defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) celebrate the win against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Ossenfort added plenty of new pieces to this year’s defense, including six 2025 defensive draft picks. The unit is widely young, with most of the veterans arriving in the offseason. The average age of the top three cornerbacks are 23 years old, and the D-line has players like Walter Nolen and Darius Robinson still learning the ropes.
The defense’s inexperience and lack of connectivity with one another has made the past two weeks’ games too close for comfortable, almost blowing a 24-point lead to the Panthers. However, much like his entire career, Campbell led by example and caused havoc in the trenches.
The team captain didn’t panic, so neither did his teammates. On the final drive, Carolina had just scored 19 unanswered points and looked primed to drive down the field. That would not be the case because of the front’s pressure towards QB Bryce Young. LB Zaven Collins nearly had the game-winning strip sack, while the consistent pressure overwhelmed the Panthers’ offensive line and either forced the penalty or Young to scramble.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) is introduced before their game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on Sept 14, 2025.
That type of pass rush wasn’t here a year ago, and neither was this type of composure. Arizona faced off against Carolina in 2024 and had its worst lost of the season because it couldn’t get a stop. The defense was against the ropes, and instead of rolling from the punches, it crumbled. Under the same circumstances, the Cardinals fought back and became the aggressor because of Campbell and the front.
The best part of Campbell’s strong start is that he isn’t satisfied. On Up & Adams, he talked about the fire to play is still burning hot. Campbell has plenty of personal goals left in his career. Despite just passing three potential Hall of Famers last Sunday, he is eyeing another one in JJ Watt, as Campbell sits just 2.5 sacks away from passing him on the all-time sacks leader.
The accolades don’t stop there, with Campbell only 13 tackles for loss away from having the most all-time in NFL history. This 39-year-old young buck is still ready to contribute to a winning team, and the Cardinals have been that large thanks to Campbell’s leadership.
Cardinals’ Calais Campbell gets honest on who he wants the 49ers to start at QB
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
