Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile Talks NFL Trade Deadline, Player Fits

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JUNE 10: Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on after Mandatory Minicamp at Miller Electric Center on June 10, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On Thursday morning, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile spoke to the media with a grin as wide as his face would allow.

Earlier in the week, Campanile was the recipient of the biggest and boldest series of trade deadline moves the Jaguars had ever undertaken. The Jags spent big but walked away with veteran safety Jessie Bates, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux and, the crown jewel, defensive tackle Jordan Davis.

General manager James Gladstone made it clear across the league landscape that he thought his team was close to a Super Bowl. And the man inheriting three top-level players to get said team to the Super Bowl was Campanile.

Obviously really fired up about it," Campanile said of the deadline acquisitions. Any time you get three great players, three great people, I couldn't be more excited about it. The team itself feels the exact same way. They're working really, really hard. They're working tirelessly. They've been everything everyone said they were."

Coach Camp was quick to mention character fit as much as scheme fit when it came to the trio. Anyone can be traded around at any time, but their willingness to play within a set system with already set players makes a big difference. The second year DC said the three players Gladstone traded for are already immediate culture fits in Jacksonville.

It's a good fit," Campanile said. They're going to fit in well. And the guys on the team are excited about that. We want to make sure we're bringing in competitive people and guys that are great teammates and we feel like we did that."

One of those immediate culture fits has been Bates, who was the first domino to fall in the trade deadline haul. Bates was a second-rounder back in 2018 and has been a consummate pro since his drafting. He has earned three Second-Team All-Pro honors along the way, most recently in 2025 with the Atlanta Falcons. Since Bates arrived in Duval County, Campanile isn't positive his new safety has spent any time at home.

I don't know if he's left since he's been here," Campanile said. He's part of the coaching staff, I think. He loves football. He has a great way about him. It's like having a coach on the field so he will fit right in with a lot of the other guys here."

Every Jessie Bates interception/forced fumble as a member of the Atlanta Falcons

A great player and one of my favorite Falcons ever pic.twitter.com/fHRlEm6Atk

- Arkesh Ray (@arkeshrayyyy) November 9, 2026

Campanile noted in Bates' time in the league, and even in college, he had been coached well. The 29-year-old safety comes to Jacksonville already established with a good foundation, which is something Campanile said of the two defensive tackles as well.

The so to say least flashy" of the three acquisitions was Godchaux, who was with Campanile and the Miami Dolphins in 2020. While he may not have the accolades of Bates or the pedigree of Davis, Godchaux is someone Campanile knows can do the exact job they need him to do.

I have always admired the way he played," Campanile said. When we were getting into building things in Miami, he was a really big part of that. When you watch him play, a lot of people can appreciate the technique he plays with. He's a throwback football player. Super skilled and drilled. I'm very happy he's here."

Physicality upfront

NFL + | #DUUUVALpic.twitter.com/u0c8f2AY7E

- Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) November 12, 2026

Godchaux fills the run-stopping role left by DaVon Hamilton's injury. Built almost exactly the same, save about 30 pounds, Godchaux does the dirty work that sets up someone like Davis to come in and finish things off on a crucial third down.

Getting a guy like Davis to wreak havoc when needed was a month-early Christmas present for Campanile.

I think he's phenomenal in every facet," Campanile said. He's been good in every element of being a defensive lineman. He's a pro's pro. He's another guy who's a skilled technician. I'm fired up to have the guy here. We have high expectations for him."

Despite never having coached Davis previously, Campanile is actually familiar with someone who has: Vic Fangio.

Fangio was the DC for the Dolphins in 2023 when Campanile was the linebackers coach. The football-lifer Fangio is about as good as it gets in the NFL, so Camp knew he was getting yet another player who was coached well all along his journey. Fangio served as Davis' defensive coordinator for his past two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Some run game film from new Jaguars defensive tackle Jordan Davis pic.twitter.com/7A4B1OWTNU

- Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) November 9, 2026

Both defensive tackles bring something a little different to Jacksonville, but both slot in as perfect puzzle pieces inside Jacksonville's defense according to Campanile.

It's hard to imagine getting two better guys that are a better fit for everything we do," Campanile said.

Davis' new locker sits between former UGA teammate Travon Walker and franchise sack leader Josh Hines-Allen. Between Walker and Hines-Allen, Campanile said he has never been worried they wouldn't hold their team to the highest standard. The thought is both of them will instill in Davis, along with Godchaux and Bates, the way things are done in Duval.

The first such look at the new, vaunted defense will be Sunday when the Jags play the 1-7 Tennessee Titans. Despite the record and the fact the Jags are the only double-digit favorite over the weekend, the Titans are no slouches statistically as of late.

Tennessee has scored 20 or more points in three straight games, including 36 in a close overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Even with all his fancy new toys, Campanile won't be allowing the Jags to overlook their next opponent.

You would be hard-pressed to say they aren't playing well," Campanile said of the Titans. They're playing offense at a very high level. Their offense has continued to get a lot better. They're scoring a lot of points and you can see why."

Jacksonville and the Titans kick off Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. If all goes well with the new players learning the verbiage of Jacksonville, Sunday should be when Jags fans see all three new acquisitions and even potentially the addition of defensive end B.J. Green.

B.J. Green II brought the McDonald's at home analogy to the Jaguars' defense conversation #Jaguars#duuuval@MiaOBrienTVpic.twitter.com/VD6NezUJ1z

- Action Sports Jax (@ActionSportsJax) November 11, 2026

Comment down below what new Jag you're most excited to see and why. Can Titans quarterback Cam Ward go another game without an interception? Or will the new-look Jaguars defense smother him into oblivion? Let us know and stay tuned for more Jaguars news and content at bigcatcountry.com.