The Miami Dolphins probably won’t make the playoffs. They have a 10.6% chance per ESPN’s FPI metric before their Week 17 showdown with the Cleveland Browns.
Vikings Reportedly Interested in 6-Time Pro Bowler
And if Miami misses out on the dance, it’s expected to release six-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Calais Campbell, a good-faith gesture so the 38-year-old can visit the postseason with another team in what is likely his final season.
According to Miami Herald‘s Omar Kelly, the Minnesota Vikings could be interested in Campbell if the Dolphins’ move becomes official. Kelly wrote this weekend, “The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are also expected to be interested, and might put in a waiver claim to strengthen their cause, and prevent a front runner like the Chiefs from adding the defensive lineman who ranks third in active sacks.”
Minnesota doesn’t really have severe weaknesses at Campbell spot(s) — Harrison Phillips, Jerry Tillery, Jonathan Bullard, and Jalen Redmond are playing well — but Campbell would represent a significant upgrade.
The Baltimore Ravens reportedly almost acquired Campbell at the NFL’s trade deadline eight weeks ago, but Miami canceled the arrangement, telling Campbell it would release him if the playoffs became out of reach. Well, the Dolphins are about one loss away from that inevitability.
Associated Press’ Alanis Thames wrote a week and a half ago about Campbell’s possible free agency, “Campbell said Wednesday that he and the Dolphins could have conversations about releasing him so he can join a playoff contender if Miami (6-8) is eliminated from the postseason soon.”
“Weeks back before the trade deadline and stuff, there was a small conversation that you really didn’t hope would ever even become a thing. And it was kind of like just something to talk about. Nothing concrete or anything like that. I don’t know if we’re there just yet, but it’s definitely something you think about,” Campbell told reporters earlier this month.
Campbell has an 83.0 Pro Football Focus grade through 16 weeks, a mind-boggling mark for a 38-year-old — or anybody. He ranks sixth among his DT peers and can serve as a mammoth asset to some team’s Super Bowl push.
At 13-2, with eyes on homefield advantage throughout the postseason, the Vikings make sense as a suitor.
The key to landing Campbell, of course, would be boxing the Lions out on the waiver wire. If the Vikings remain below Detroit in the standings and the Dolphins get eliminated from the postseason on Sunday, that path is much easier. Stay tuned. Teams with lesser win percentages on the waiver wire get priority.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should immediately enter the Campbell sweepstakes if the Dolphins live up to their end of the bargain. He’s the perfect asset for Minnesota in the postseason.
Imagine this purple defensive front:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Harrison Phillips
- Calais Campbell
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Dallas Turner
In fact, the Vikings should’ve signed him in the summer. His free agency lasted from March to June.
Campbell is a two-time All-Pro.
Miami would be eliminated from postseason contention Sunday with a loss at the Cleveland Browns. Tyler Huntley is expected to start at quarterback for the Dolphins as QB1 Tua Tagovailoa is doubtful.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
