New England Patriots
“I feel he’s acquired somewhat bit of additional motivation for himself to show to us and show to himself he might be among the best gamers on this league at his place.”
FOXBOROUGH — Will Campbell had a playoff run to neglect earlier this yr.
The rookie left sort out showcased his potential early on in 2025 after New England drafted him fourth total out of LSU, defending Drake Maye’s blind facet because the Patriots began to search out their collective stride out on the sector.
However, the 22-year-old offensive lineman additionally went by way of his anticipated share of rising pains towards some elite pass-rushers — with these struggles turning into an increasing number of distinguished after Campbell returned from a torn MCL.
Campbell was cleared to play within the postseason, however was commonly put below duress in matchups towards the Chargers, Texans, Broncos, and Seahawks. Sadly for New England, Campbell’s worst efficiency got here on the best stage in Tremendous Bowl LX towards Seattle.
According to Next Gen Stats, Campbell was knocked a whopping 14 pressures towards the Seahawks — an unpleasant statline that stood as essentially the most pressures allowed by any participant in a recreation this season, together with the playoffs.
In complete, Maye was sacked six occasions and hit on 11 different events throughout New England’s eventual 29-13 loss at Levi’s Stadium.
That bitter finish to a promising season for Campbell has raised loads of questions this offseason over Campbell’s long-term outlook as New England’s franchise left sort out — and whether or not or not he may be higher served shifting to protect if his struggles proceed.
However, on Wednesday, Maye supplied up a powerful endorsement of his offensive lineman — noting that he himself went by way of his justifiable share of ups and downs throughout his first yr within the NFL in 2024.
“Will has acquired an incredible mindset. I feel he type of understands the enterprise and what this league is about,” Maye stated. “He type of [had] an identical expertise to me. Clearly, the seasons that we had have been totally different between mine and his first yr, however he acquired the complete size of the season, you already know, the ups and downs of it. I feel he’s acquired an incredible perspective.”
Talking to reporters on the Patriots’ locker-room clean-out day after the Tremendous Bowl, Campbell didn’t mince phrases when requested to evaluate his personal play towards Seattle.
“It comes with the job. While you don’t carry out — clearly I used to be picked excessive, paid lots. So folks count on a sure factor, and I count on extra of myself,” Campbell said. “So each time I don’t carry out, I don’t count on everybody to be like, ‘It’s OK, buddy.’ I imply, clearly it sucks. Nevertheless it doesn’t suck for anybody greater than it sucks for me.”
Campbell additionally burdened that there have been nonetheless loads of positives to attract from his first yr in Foxborough ,with New England banking on his continued growth at such a essential phase on the group’s O-line.
The free-agent addition of left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is also a stabilizing presence subsequent to Campbell in 2026 — as long as the 26-year-old guard can stay wholesome.
“I don’t assume one efficiency defines a season. I feel I did some good issues this yr,” Campbell stated in February. “Clearly, there’s room for development in each facet of my recreation. I’m 22 years previous. I’ve plenty of room for development in each facet as a participant, as a pacesetter; whether or not that’s power and conditioning, cross safety, run-blocking, no matter it may be. I’ve development all over the place. I’m younger. I’m studying.”
New England has just a few contingency plans in place if Campbell’s struggles persist, with the Patriots deciding on tackle Caleb Lomu out of Utah with the 28th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Whereas Lomu figures to be an eventual long-term substitute for 35-year-old proper sort out Morgan Moses, he performed a majority of snaps at left sort out with the Utes over the previous few years.
Nonetheless, Maye burdened that Campbell can be wanting ahead to placing the top of final season within the rearview mirror as soon as coaching camp begins in earnest in July.
“He’s working his butt off,” Maye stated of Campbell. “I feel he’s acquired somewhat bit of additional motivation for himself to show to us and show to himself he might be among the best gamers on this league at his place.”
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