At 6-8, the Miami Dolphins are clinging to postseason contention. Different sites have different percentage chances for them to make the playoffs entering Week 16, but a loss to the San Francisco 49ers could eliminate them and a win may not do much for their odds.
At the trade deadline, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel nixed the idea of trading veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell. But on Wednesday, the notion surfaced that the Dolphins could release Campbell when they are eliminated from playoff contention.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Campbell revealed he and general manager Chris Grier discussed a scenario where he could join a playoff contender if the Dolphins were eliminated from postseason contention.
"Weeks back, before the trade deadline, there was a small conversation you really didn’t hope would ever even become a thing,” Campbell said on Wednesday. “It was just something to talk about, nothing concrete. I don’t know if we’re there just yet. It’s definitely something you think about. “A lot of moving parts. We’re kind of staying in the moment. it’s definitely something you have to think about.”
Calais Campbell and Lions are a perfect match if it can work out
Campbell is having another fine season this year, at 38 years old, with four sacks, 43 total tackles and 10 tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus has him as their sixth-highest graded defensive tackle in the league entering Week 16, including the top run defense grade (86.6) at the position by a noticeable margin (second-best is an 83.8 run defense grade) and 32 quarterback pressures.
The Detroit Lions are of course now without stud defensive tackle Alim McNeill after he suffered a torn right ACL in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills. So they have a significant need on their interior defensive line, and Campbell would be an ideal fit if (when) he becomes available. The Lions were interested in him in 2023 after the Baltimore Ravens released him, and he ultimately signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Campbell would be subject to waivers if the Dolphins let him go, so it's not guaranteed the Lions (or any other contender) would get him. His contract will not be an impediment to claiming him. That said, contending teams would clearly be most inclined to want him and it's possible he could be had via a waiver claim or as a free agent once he cleared waivers.
It's rare for a contending team to be able to add a difference maker at this point in the season. But Campbell's situation is unique, with the Dolphins apparently willing to let him go join a contender once they are eliminated. The Lions will surely try to add him when that time comes, but interference from another playoff team in the waiver process is definitely possible (if not likely). So mark this as something to watch, with a non-zero chance Campbell winds up a Lion fairly soon.