Drake Maye Fired Up By New Left Tackle Will Campbell’s Viral ‘Fight And Die’ Moment

‘I’m gonna fight and die to protect him with everything I got,’ Campbell said after being drafted.

Offensive Tackle Will Campbell of LSU walks the stage prior to the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on April 24, 2025. Stacy Revere/Getty Images

New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell’s viral draft moment has quarterback Drake Maye fired up.

The Patriots drafted Campbell with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As he stepped on the stage in Green Bay, he said through tears that he was going to “fight and die” for Maye.

At a press conference Thursday, Maye shared Campbell’s enthusiasm and said he is excited to work with all the Pats’ offseason additions.

“I listened to it live,” Maye said.

“Man, this gets you going, gets your juices going. [It] makes you want to go out there and play football now. [I’m] pumped that we picked Will, and we got a chance to meet him when he came in on Friday. [I’m] pumped to get things going, and obviously, he seems like a football player. That’s what you want around here.”

After Campbell’s selection was announced, the Louisiana native took the stage in his New England Patriots cap. After he stepped aside, NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl asked what Campbell was feeling in the moment.

“You haven’t stopped smiling since you heard your name,” Erdahl began. “What’s behind that smile?”

“Just all the hard work,” Campbell replied, immediately breaking down into tears before regaining his composure. “I’ve worked my entire life to be up here, to be able to get my name called by a franchise like New England. It means everything to me.”

“You were brought to New England to protect Drake Maye. What kind of tone are you going to set on this offensive line?” Erdahl asked.

“I’m gonna fight and die to protect him with everything I got,” Campbell said.

Campbell elaborated on that sentiment in a post-draft press conference.

“As a left tackle, or an offensive lineman in general, it’s my job to protect the quarterback, along with the rest of the guys,” he said.

“Any of those guys...that are on that offensive line are going to do everything they can to keep number 10 upright and protect them with everything...they have.”

“I’m a quarterback guy,” he added. “I did the same thing for Jayden Daniels, and I did the same thing for Garrett Nussmeier, and I’m going to do it for number 10 too.”

Campbell will be the blindside protector for Maye on a revamped Patriots offensive line.

New England gave up 52 sacks last season, the fifth-worst number of sacks allowed in the league. The team signed right tackle Morgan Moses, center Garrett Bradbury, and right guard Wes Schweitzer in free agency.

Besides Campbell, the Patriots drafted Mizzou left tackle Marcus Bryant in the seventh round. New England also provided their young quarterback with a host of new offensive weapons.

They signed 2-time All Pro and 4-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs, as well as journeyman Mack Hollins, to bring veteran presence to an up-and-coming receiving corps headlined by 2023 sixth-round draft picks DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. New England also drafted Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams and Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson.

Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots throws the ball during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout in Foxborough, Massachusetts on May 29, 2024. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

“I’m pumped,” Maye reiterated.

“A lot of new faces, a lot of guys, a lot of veterans that played at a high level. I think we found answers at a lot of different spots that hopefully can plug and play...Add that in with some young talent that we’ve had in the past couple of drafts, and I think hopefully we’re heading in the right direction.”