Dolphins’ Jonnu Smith says teammate Calais Campbell is ‘like the LeBron James of the NFL’

The Miami Dolphins have had their fair share of turbulence this season.

At one point the Dolphins had a 2-6 record. However, quarterback The return of Tua Tagovailoa injury has stabilized the team’s offense and helped Miami win its past two games.

During the offseason, former Miami Hurricanes star Calais Campbell decided to return to South Florida and signed with the Dolphins.

The six-time Pro Bowler is halfway through his 17th year NFL seasonand the veteran defensive tackle has had a major impact on the 2024 Dolphins – if you ask any of his teammates. Tight end Jonnu Smith recently praised Campbell, 38, for continuing to show his ability to be a key contributor.

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October 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) takes the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

“Calais is one of my favorite teammates in all the sports I’ve played,” Smith said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

Campbell recorded his fourth sack of the year during Miami’s 34-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11. Campbell’s four sacks are the most of any player on the Dolphins roster this season. He now has 109.5 career sacks.

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The veteran defensive lineman has also played a key role in Miami’s run defense. But Campbell’s impact extends beyond the football field. The 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year has brought more leadership to the Dolphins locker room.

November 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) leaves the field after the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Imagn images)

“He’s the LeBron James of the NFL right now, in terms of his age and the production he brings to the game, and he’s still playing at a high level. I mean, the guy is 1,000 years old and plays like he’s 21 is.”

Campbell is among the short list of NFL athletes who have played the defensive lineman position and have been able to continue playing — let alone make an impact — once they reached their late 30s.

September 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) celebrates after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Smith, who was also teammates with Campbell in Atlanta the Falcons Last season he went on to describe Campbell as the “best leader” he “has had.”

If Campbell can log two more sacks over the course of the Dolphins’ seven remaining games, he will pass the former Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald for 40th on the all-time list.

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The Dolphins welcome the New England Patriots in Week 12 for an AFC East Division showdown.

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