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Cardinals DL Calais Campbell Needs This For $500,000 Incentive

Can he earn some extra dough in what could be his last game for the organization?
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) walks off the field after their 27-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 19, 2025.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) walks off the field after their 27-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 19, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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ARIZONA -- There's not much for the Arizona Cardinals to play for in their Week 18 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams other than pride.

Well, for most players.

Cardinals legendary defensive end Calais Campbell is one sack away from earning an extra $500,000 today.

Campbell previously earned $500,000 by reaching 5.5 sacks this season. This would make it a clear one million dollars in terms of sack incentives if Campbell can reach the 7.5 sack mark.

Spotrac is also showing Campbell has playing time incentives this season. If he plays 54% of snaps he'll earn $500,000 while 58% would see him earn $1 million extra.

Campbell's currently at 46.5%, so it feels unlikely he'll hit either of those.

More on Calais Campbell's Potential Final Season

Arizona Cardinals DL Calais Campbel
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) stands on the field prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

This could be Campbell's final game after 18 seasons of service in the NFL. The veteran and likely Ring of Honor candidate for Arizona still seems to be unsure.

"It's not a personal decision, it's a decision everybody has some kind of interest in," Campbell said (h/tAZCardinals.com's Darren Urban).

"I try to be respectful (answering questions), but I have to go through my process. I don't know if I'm going to retire or not because I don't know how my body is going to feel."

If this is it, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said it was a privilege to spend one year with him.

"Fantastic. Better than I ever could have thought honestly," Gannon said of coaching Campbell.

"Obviously played really well this year. Captain. Leadership, pro's-pro. Energy, juice all the time. I learned a lot from him. It's been awesome."

Campbell, despite his age, has been one of the very few consistent performers for the Cardinals this season. There's hope his impact lasts far past whenever his playing days are over, too.

"He's been in a lot of places. He's had a lot of success, everything from defensive line play to how we structure a team meeting to the schedule to everything. He's been around the block, and he's a really good resource because of how long he's been doing it," Gannon continued.

"And he's been awesome for our players, too. I know that for our younger guys, he's been a really good resource for them."

If this is truly it for Campbell, what a career for the big man. And although this season didn't quite pan out like many had hoped, it was still nice to see Campbell return home for one last ride.

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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!

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