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Could Falcons DL Be 'The Next Dan Campbell?'

Originally posted on FanNation Falcon Report
By Jonathan Alfano | Last updated 1/31/24

The NFL is a copycat league, and a new trend to follow may be forming.

Over the past several years, teams tried everything they could to copy the success of Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay by hiring young, offensive-minded coaches. Now, the next trendsetter coach could be Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions, who's the epitome of a players coach and master motivator. Campbell's squad may have come up one game short of the Super Bowl, but given that he turned the downtrodden Lions into a contender just three years in is impressive all the same.

Campbell was just another player in the NFL not too long ago, so his rise to being one of the most-likable coaches in the league has been inspiring to watch.

The question is, what current or former players could follow a similar path to Campbell? According to Bleacher Report, one of those players just so happens to share the same last name, that player being Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell.

"Calais Campbell's career is winding down after 16 years in Arizona, Baltimore, Jacksonville and Atlanta, but the longtime locker room leader established himself as one of the league's most prominent captains during his long tenure with the Cardinals," Bleacher Report wrote.

Calais Campbell, who won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2019, is one of the most well-respected players in the league. Even in his twilight years, the 37-year-old defensive lineman is still making an impact on his younger teammates.

"When he stepped on the field he wasn't (acting like he was better) than everybody per se, he was able to just do the grunt work like everybody else," Falcons linebackers coach Frank Bush told reporters in August. "Once he started working, guys really kinda fell in love."

The veteran defensive lineman has had a stellar playing career as well, recording 105.5 sacks and earning a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

Given his passion for the game and the respect his peers have for him, Calais Campbell could very well have a successful future if he goes into coaching.

This article first appeared on FanNation Falcon Report and was syndicated with permission.

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