Source - Falcons further bolster defense with Calais Campbell

The Atlanta Falcons will be signing defensive end Calais Campbell to a one-year deal, a source confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday, the latest move by the franchise to upgrade its defense.

After Atlanta's season ended, Falcons coach Arthur Smith said the franchise needed to look to make additions to its defensive front. It already made a change in coordinator this offseason, going from Dean Pees, who retired, to Ryan Nielsen. And the franchise added safety Jessie Bates III, defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss in the first days of free agency.

In Campbell, though, the Falcons add a veteran presence in the defensive line room and another player with pass-rush experience next to defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. To understand Atlanta's pass-rush woes, consider Campbell's 5.5 sacks last season would have been second on the Falcons in 2022 and would have led Atlanta in sacks in 2021.

He'll now add to a pass-rush group including Jarrett, Onyemata and Ta'Quon Graham on the defensive line and Lorenzo Carter, Elliss and two rookies drafted in the top three rounds last season, Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone at outside linebacker.

The Ravens had hopes of re-signing Campbell at a reduced salary later this offseason after cutting him on March 13 to get quarterback Lamar Jackson's $32.416 million nonexclusive franchise tag under the salary cap. Baltimore created $7 million in much-needed cap space by cutting Campbell, who had the fifth-highest cap figure ($9.44 million) on the team.

Campbell announced at the Super Bowl in February that he planned to return for his 16th season. At 36, he is the NFL's oldest active defensive lineman.

Campbell is coming off a resurgent season in which he recorded 5.5 sacks. But