Calais Campbell has already intimated this – his 18th NFL season — could be his last. So when the veteran defensive lineman was asked by a local reporter here in Denver after practice Thursday if he would give thought to finishing his career with his hometown Broncos, Campbell gave a knowing chuckle.
He had considered being a Bronco before (the Broncos were the other team, other than the Cardinals and the Jaguars, who courted Campbell in 2017 before Campbell left Arizona for Jacksonville). But it never worked out, and when he was asked if this will be his last season, Campbell said “I will be very surprised if it’s not.”
That’s a door left open though. When someone followed up with when and how Campbell came to that decision, Calais again gave a hearty chuckle, noting he hasn’t really decided anything. “It’s kind of nature,” Campbell said, a nod to his 38-year-oldness.
But he also said he felt this time last year the same thing. He won’t predict the future. “I feel I would cheat the game if I look forward.”
The joint practice had good and bad with it for the Cardinals; the Broncos are currently and expected to return to being a playoff team. But it was a good time for Campbell, who reveled in being in his hometown.
He had a funny moment with Peyton Manning, who remains close with the Broncos organization. A few of Campbell’s younger teammates marveled at Manning’s appearance, so Campbell brought them over during a break for an introduction.
The topic of Manning’s tackle of Campbell at the 5-yard line after a Campbell interception in a 2014 meeting was broached.
“What really hurt my feeling was I brought it up to him and he said ‘I was just telling (the guy next to me) that,'” Campbell said. “Hey, great play by him. I tell everyone Peyton Manning could have been an all-pro linebacker. No one knows.”
— Coach Jonathan Gannon, speaking before practice, said the workout Thursday would impact “a good amount” his decision whether starters would play Saturday against the Broncos. Broncos coach Sean Payton told Denver reporters after practice that neither team was going to use their starters.
— Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson has some knee soreness and was held out, but he is “doing well,” Gannon said.
— Gannon also said rookie defensive lineman Walter Nolen III, who is on the PUP list with a calf injury, is progressing. “He hasn’t had, I don’t want to use the word setback, but he hasn’t had any setbacks,” Gannon said.
— The Arizona Diamondbacks are in town for a four-game series against the Rockies, so manager Torey Lovullo decided to come out to practice, chat with GM Monti Ossenfort and briefly met with Kyler Murray afterward.
“I love the overlap with the teams and organizations,” Lovullo said. “J.G. is the best.”
Lovullo said he’s played golf with Gannon previously and “for nine of the holes that’s all we were talking about, culture, how to relate to players, how to build a team.”
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