Calais Campbell returned to State Farm Stadium as a Cardinal and delivered a game-sealing sack on Bryce Young, turning emotion into production as he prowled the edge in his first return to Arizona since 2016. The 39-year-old didn’t just lead with leadership; he flashed a disruptive pass rush, piling up two sacks, two hurries and three tackles on 37 snaps to anchor a defense that closed out a 2-0 start.

Arizona’s rotation kept Campbell fresh while he remained a force, earning a 77.0 PFF grade and illustrating that veteran savvy can translate into meaningful edge pressure even in limited snaps. The win over Carolina solidified the Cardinals as early surprises, with coach Jonathan Gannon praising the veteran’s impact and the defense feeding off his presence from start to finish.

The week-one benchmark at New Orleans framed the improvement, and this homecoming underscored that leadership plus playmaking can elevate the unit in tight moments. The crowd’s energy, Campbell’s timing, and a defense that leaned on experience helped Arizona move to 2-0, with Campbell’s performance serving as a blueprint for how the Cardinals can lean on their veterans in close games.