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The Baltimore Ravens passed on a "bear to block" in 2026 NFL free agency because of All-Pro DT Calais Campbell.
What they already knew about Calais Campbell was enough for the Baltimore Ravens to pass on a deal for another prominent defensive tackle in 2026 NFL free agency, a “bear to block” who the Ravens had “all sorts of issues” trying to contain.
The Ravens ultimately chose six-time Pro Bowler Campbell over D.J. Reader for two simple reasons. Cost and scheme fit, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Zrebiec explained to Ravens Vault co-host Bobby Trosset and Cole Jackson on the “Baltimore Collective,” why the team was content to watch Reader reunite with former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and join the New York Giants.
As Zrebiec explained, Reader got roughly $6.5 million per year from Big Blue, while the Ravens “pretty much signed Calais Campbell, or they’ve agreed to terms with Calais Campbell, on the same contract that he was getting with Arizona last year which was, I think, a one-year, $5.5. million deal.”
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta saved money bringing Campbell back for a second tour in the AFC North, but Zrebiec admitted, “They like both players. They’ve always respected D.J. Reader, he was a bear to block when he was on the #Bengals. They had all sorts of issues with him. I think they would’ve been good with that, but I just think they feel like Calais Campbell fits a little better with his versatility.”
.@jeffzrebiec explained to @bobbytrosset & @ColeJacksonFB why the #Ravens preferred Calais Campbell to D.J. Reader:
‘They like both players. They’ve always respected D.J. Reader, he was a bear to block when he was on the #Bengals. They had all sorts of issues with him. I think
This is an interesting take because Campbell and Reader represent different styles of interior defensive line play. It’s somewhat surprising the Ravens believe they are already well covered for the niche skills Reader provides.
Zrebiec pointed out the Ravens “don’t really need, you know, a 1-tech nose tackle type guy. They have three of those guys on the roster already.”
The Ravens certainly showed plenty of interest in Reader if they’re happy enough with their current options to play over the ball. Those options don’t appear overly strong beyond obvious starter Travis Jones.
He’s a lock, but Jones is only supported by 36-year-old nose guard John Jenkins and former international star and practice squad member C.J. Okoye. The latter hasn’t always impressed, but Okoye’s path did briefly cross with Jesse Minter when the new Ravens head coach was defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.
Okoye’s lack of experience and Jenkins’ age make it more than mildly surprising the Ravens didn’t deem Reader a priority. He’s still one of the premier double-team magnets and run-stuffers in the league.
Fortunately, 39-year-old Campbell remains a force against the run, but the All-Pro’s game can also help the Ravens overcome injury concerns in other key areas of Minter’s scheme.
It’s significant Zrebiec mentioned how “Calais can play other spots. He helps you out on field goal teams, he helps you out on kick-block team, and you know the kind of influence he’s gonna have in that locker room. You know, there’s guys on that team that really look up to him, like Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington.”
Madubuike remains the most dynamic disruptor for the Ravens along the interior, but he’s also still recovering from neck surgery. Meanwhile, Washington also spent time on injured reserve last season, dealing with an ankle problem.
Both Washington and Madubuike can crush the pass-pocket, but that’s something Campbell has done well for 18 seasons, evidenced by 117 career sacks, with 11 of those quarterback takedowns posted in a Ravens uniform from 2020-22.
He can still cause havoc from multiple spots up front, so Campbell represents exceptional value for a unit already strong enough against the run not to rue missing out on Reader.
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko
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