Calais Campbell, 6-time Pro Bowler, to sign 1-year deal with Falcons: report

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The Atlanta Falcons will sign defensive end Calais Campbell to a one-year deal, ESPN reported Wednesday, the latest move by the franchise to upgrade its defense.

After Atlanta's season ended, Falcons coach Arthur Smith said the team needed to make additions to its defensive front. The team already changed its defensive coordinator this offseason, replacing Dean Pees, who retired, with Ryan Nielsen. 

It also added safety Jessie Bates III, defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss in the first days of free agency.

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Calais Campbell of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before a game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium Dec. 4, 2022, in Baltimore.  (G Fiume/Getty Images)

In Campbell, the Falcons add a veteran presence in the defensive line room and another player with pass-rushing experience next to defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Campbell's 5½ sacks last season would have ranked second on the Falcons in 2022 and would have led the team in 2021.

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In addition to Campbell, Jarrett, Onyemata and Elliss, defensive tackle Ta'Quon Graham, veteran linebacker Lorenzo Carter and outside linebackers Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone (drafted in the top three rounds last season) round out the Falcons' pass-rushing group.

The Baltimore Ravens had hopes of re-signing Campbell at a reduced salary later this offseason after cutting him March 13 to get quarterback Lamar Jackson's $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag under the salary cap. Baltimore created $7 million in much-needed