Campbell inks $55 million, five-year deal

On Thursday, the Arizona Cardinals signed defensive tackle Calais Campbell to a five year contract extension, which is worth a reported $55 million, with $31 million of it in guaranteed money.

Campbell, as low-key and humble as a multi-millionaire could be, showed up to Friday’s press conference in what he described as his “best suit,” and had his mother, his brother and sister in tow for the fun.

In his four years with the Cardinals, Campbell has paid his dues and put in major work to get to where he is today, which is why he was so richly rewarded on Thursday.

“This is a dream come true,” Campbell said. “It really means a lot for them to really believe in me and think I’m worth being a Cardinal.”

Campbell’s production and his numbers have steadily increased in his four years. Last season he had a career high 72 tackles, as well as a career high 10 passes defensed.

Those are numbers that flow from a true leader on the field, a title which Campbell said he embraced from Day One.

“I took that approach the best I could,” Campbell said. “I’m definitely going to be a leader the best way I can.”

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt knows keeping an impact player like Campbell on the defense can only strengthen that side of the ball, as evidenced by the play of that unit last season.

We all know that none of us are perfect, so it should come as no shock that Whisenhunt sees some things that Campbell needs to improve on.

For the most part though, Whisenhunt loves what he sees from #93.

“He’s gotta work on his technique all the time, but the one thing he doesn’t have to work on is that effort,” Whisenhunt said. “That to me is what really stands out with him.”