JACKSONVILLE – What has been unofficial is becoming official.
While that should mean several key additions to the Jaguars' roster being announced Thursday, it also meant a significant – and difficult – loss.
Calais Campbell, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end and one of the most popular – and successful – players in franchise history, has been traded to the Baltimore Ravens. The move, which had been agreed-upon this past weekend, was announced Thursday in accordance with NFL rules.
"Calais has been a tremendous player, an outstanding leader and an even better person during his three seasons in Jacksonville, and his 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year recognition was well deserved," Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell said in a statement. "We respect his professionalism, appreciate his contributions to the Jaguars organization and the City of Jacksonville and wish him and Rocio the best in this next chapter in Baltimore."
Campbell, who will enter his 13th NFL season next season, was traded for a fifth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl in all three seasons with the Jaguars since signing during the 2017 offseason as an unrestricted free agent from the Arizona Cardinals, registering 31.5 sacks during that span.
Campbell also was heavily involved in the community during his time with the Jaguars, with Campbell being named the NFL's 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year – considered one of the NFL's most prestigious honors and one that recognizes on-field performance and off-field contributions.
Campbell registered a career-high and franchise-record 16.5 sacks in 2017, when he was an Associated Press first-team All-Pro selection and the runner-up for AP Defensive Player of the Year. He helped the Jaguars to the 2017 AFC South title and to their run to the AFC Championship Game following that season.
He registered 10.5 sacks in 2018 and 6.5 sacks this past season.
