At 38 years old, Calais Campbell knows the end of his NFL career is closing in.
The 17-year stalwart Miami Dolphins defensive lineman is bracing that his final game could be Sunday against the New York Jets.
"That definitely is going to be the thought process," Campbell said Thursday of possibly retiring after the season, .
Regardless of whether the Dolphins make the playoffs, Campbell, like he has each of the past several seasons, will evaluate his future after his campaign ends.
"I will say that I've felt that way before, too, so this is not my first time feeling that way," Campbell said. "So it doesn't mean I'm definitely going to retire, but you have to have that mindset, because, at the end of the day, I don't know. And I want to make sure that, if this is my last game, I make it worthwhile."
The Dolphins can make the postseason with a win and a Denver Broncos loss to the Carson Wentz-led Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Miami start backup quarterback Tyler Huntley on Sunday with Tua Tagovailoa still dealing with a hip injury.
Campbell signed in Miami with designs on a deep postseason run. However, a 2-6 start to the season had the defensive lineman as a trade candidate. Coach Mike McDaniel helped keep Campbell from being shipped out, and the Dolphins have won six of their past eight games to give themselves a shot.
Campbell made the Super Bowl with the Cardinals in his rookie season in 2008 but failed to return to the big dance the past 16 seasons.
"I've wanted that for Calais since 2021, our first year together," said Miami defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who was also Campbell's defensive line coach in Baltimore. "Just to get in and to get a ticket to the dance is what we're looking for. And if anybody can help push a team past whatever its limits may be, it's that guy. So I'd give anything for that (opportunity)."
Campbell said that he doesn't want teammates scoreboard-watching on Sunday. Winning is all they can control. Plus, there will be some sliver of a silver lining to finish with a 9-8 record after the dismal start to the season.
"Everybody wants to be a winner, right?" Campbell said. "Obviously, there's only one team that leaves the year happy, and that's the Super Bowl champ. The team that goes and loses is just as unhappy as the teams that don't make it. That's just the nature of the business.
"But there is some solace in knowing that at least you had a winning record. You were on a winning team. I think it helps, something to build off of for the people who are going to be here next year, stuff like that. I know there's a lot of unknowns, but at the end of the day, we just got to do our part."
The question Campbell will ask himself either Sunday night or in the coming weeks is whether he's done his part for the final time in the NFL.
