The Eagles and the Chiefs both wanted to sign Calais Campbell this offseason, according to former teammate and ESPN analyst Sam Acho.
Acho revealed the two teams’ interest during the Cardinals’ preseason matchup against the Broncos last Saturday, per ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. He played with Campbell in Arizona from 2011 and 2014. Years later in 2018, Acho and Campbell served as NFLPA representives for the Bears and the Jaguars, respectively. Given the pair’s relationship, it’s safe to assume that Acho wasn’t speaking out of turn when referencing Campbell’s free agency process.
Interest from the Eagles and the Chiefs means that at least four other teams were pursuing Campbell before he decided to return to Arizona. The Ravens and the Dolphins also made offers, but a strong signing bonus from the Cardinals was enough to motivate a reunion. Campbell’s move out west also represents a homecoming of sorts, as Phoenix is much closer to his hometown of Denver than his previous teams on the East Coast.
Signing with the Eagles or the Chiefs, last season’s Super Bowl participants, would have been a clear sign that Campbell was chasing a ring to end his Hall of Fame career. A reunion with the Ravens would have offered similar upside. Instead, the 17-year veteran seems poised to retire a Cardinal without a championship. Though Arizona is expected to improve after two losing seasons under head coach Jonathan Gannon, they are not considered a serious Super Bowl contender.