On the idea he would be let go by the Miami Dolphins once they were out of playoff contention, the Detroit Lions are easy to tie to veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell. Miami's win over the San Fransisco 49ers in Week 16 left them with a chance to make the playoffs.
Of course Campbell would be subject to waivers if/when the Dolphins let him go. Any team could claim him, and block him from what would be his obvious desire to land with a Super Bowl contender. He has played for the Baltimore Ravens before, and they wanted to trade for him at this year's deadline before Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel stepped in.
If the Los Angeles Chargers beat the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos beat the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, the Dolphins will be eliminated from playoff contention. A loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday would also eliminate Miami's chances to make the playoffs.
Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald had an update on Campbell's situation ahead of Saturday's triple-header of NFL action. Kelly reported McDaniel convinced Campbell to stay at the trade deadline, with the understanding he'd be released if/when the Dolphins weren't in contention. For him to be able to latch on with another team, the move to release him would have to happen before the regular season finale.
Report confirms Lions will be among teams with interest in Calais Campbell
Kelly went on to name teams who could be interested in Campbell if (when?) he becomes available. The Ravens are obvious, based on his history there (he played three seasons in Baltimore, 2020-2022) and their desire to trade for him a couple months ago. T
The Kansas City Chiefs are another obvious potential landing spot for Campbell, and Kelly added two teams that shouldn't be all that surprising either.
"But the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are also expected to be interested, and might put in a waiver claim to strengthen their cause, and prevent a front runner like the Chiefs from adding the defensive lineman who ranks third in active sacks."
If there needed to be confirmation the Lions would have interest in Campbell if he were available, we've got it now.
The Ravens (No. 25) are ahead of the Vikings (No. 28), Lions and Chiefs in the waiver pecking order entering Week 17, with the latter three teams in that respective order (Lions and Chiefs are No. 31 and 32).
So the waiver process stands firmly in the way of the Lions getting Campbell, as it has from the beginning of the idea he would be let go by the Dolphins. But if there's a "wink-nod" understanding about letting him clear waivers and pick his destination as a free agent, the Lions would more realistically have a chance.