Calais Campbell reportedly on trading block

The Arizona Cardinals could be shopping one of their defensive captains, according to a report on Monday. According to Omar Kelly, who covers the NFL for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "the word on the street" is being shopped the Arizona Cardinals.

Campbell, who has played eight seasons for the Cardinals since being drafted in the second round out of Miami, has been to the Pro Bowl each of the last two seasons and enters the final year of a five-year, $55 million contract he signed in 2011. He is due to make $9.75 million in compensation between salary and a workout bonus. He will count more than $15 million against the salary cap in 2016. If traded, his contract would count $5.5 million in dead money against the cap.

Campbell had 68 tackles, 17 for losses, five sacks, 13 quarterback pressures 15 QB hits en route to his second Pro Bowl in as many years. However, head coach Bruce Arians has called out Campbell on many occasions, saying he should be even more productive.

There was word the team would seek a contract extension to lower his cap hit, but he is going to turn 30 this year. Rather than  extend him, paying him in the years where he could decline, perhaps the Cardinals are hoping to move him and get some compensation before his contract runs out.

Arians has said he wants to get younger in certain position groups. They have Rodney Gunter, who they fell will be great. Moving Campbell could pave the way for him to move over from nose tackle where he played last season to defensive tackle, where he is more naturally suited.

Should the Cardinals move on from Campbell? Would it be better to trade him or to let his contract play out? What could he be worth with that salary? Is he an essential piece to a team looking to win a championship?

Update: According to Kent Somers, the Cards are neither shopping nor have they received any calls about Campbell.