Mike Preston: Ravens need a steady hand. Enter Calais Campbell.

They have leaders. Depending on the day, cornerback Marlon Humphrey can be a good mentor. Middle linebacker Roquan Smith was expected to be the next Ray Lewis when he was acquired in 2022, but Smith’s performance has fallen off in recent seasons. Starks, Wiggins, weakside linebacker Teddye Buchanan and second-year outside linebacker Mike Green are too young, and unless quarterback Lamar Jackson has matured and running back Derrick Henry has become more vocal, this team needs a player with the caliber and substance of Campbell to go along with Hamilton, the other unquestioned leader.

“He’ll be here sometime this week to kind of finalize things, and [we’re] really excited about it,” Ravens first-year coach Jesse Minter said recently of Campbell. “He had 6 1/2 sacks last year. He’s still playing at such an unbelievable level. We all know what type of man and person and teammate and leader that he is, but this is because he’s such a really good player at this age and where he’s at.

“He’ll really help us. He’ll be great for the young guys, of course, because that’s who Calais is, but I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings on the field [and] in between the lines. And I really think he’ll help us both in the run and pass game.”

Bingo. Campbell is the complete player.

He won’t mind arguing with new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, whom he played for in 2024 when Weaver held the same job with the Miami Dolphins. You think Weaver didn’t sign off on this addition?

Campbell is wise enough to get in Jackson’s ear about extensive training routines or motivate wide receiver Rashod Bateman. He can take rookie outside linebacker Zion Young, Green and slot receiver Zay Flowers under his wing.

Look at Campbell’s resume: Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2019, NFLPA Alan Page Community Award winner in 2024, Bart Starr Award winner in 2019 (given for outstanding character, integrity and leadership on and off the field) and Art Rooney Award winner in 2022 (for outstanding sportsmanship on the playing field).

When Campbell left Jacksonville after the 2020 season to head to Baltimore, Jaguars fans wanted to know who would replace him in terms of contributions to the community. In all honesty, he is the gift that keeps on giving.

Even more importantly, Campbell is still impressive on the field. He’s had 18 total sacks over the past three seasons in Atlanta, Miami and Arizona while recording 151 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 45 quarterback hits.

Now, imagine him on the defensive front line with Nnamdi Madubuike (assuming good health), Travis Jones and outside linebackers Trey Hendrickson and Green. Mix in outside linebacker Tavius Robinson on occasion.

OK, let’s not get too excited.

But at least with Madubuike and Campbell, the Ravens have players who can bring pressure on the outside and force quarterbacks to move inside. That is the key, especially if the pressure comes from the front four.

But let’s get a reality check. It’s safe to say that there is only one White, and his influence in both Philadelphia and Green Bay was tremendous. Lewis had the same effect here in Baltimore. Even as his skills began to diminish toward the end of his career, young players would rally around him because they were galvanized by his spirit.

The same things can be said about Campbell. After all, they are in a special class.

It’s one of their own.

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