The New England Patriots defended rookie left tackle Will Campbell from criticism after their Super Bowl loss.
Quarterback Drake Maye was sacked six times in the Pats’ 29–13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Campbell gave up one sack but was faulted for 14 quarterback pressures.
His struggles led to criticism on social media, but head coach Mike Vrabel, Campbell’s teammates, and other NFL veterans said his issues could be overcome.
The NFL’s Next Gen Stats credited Campbell with 14 pressures. Pro Football Focus credited him with 8 quarterback pressures and 6 QB hurries. He gave up a sack early in the first quarter against edge rusher Derick Hall. Campbell was knocked off his platform by Hall’s bull rush. Left guard Jared Wilson tried to chip Hall, but the block pushed him away from Campbell, and he was able to wrap up Maye around his legs.
Campbell also gave up an egregious pressure to cornerback Devon Witherspoon, a clip of which went viral online. Witherspoon blitzed from the nickel spot. Campbell tried to attack him but was too aggressive and whiffed on his block as Witherspoon used a swim move inside; the rush knocked Maye off his spot and forced an errant throw.
During his Feb. 9 news conference, Vrabel shut down the prospect of moving Campbell inside.
“Will’s 22 years old,” he said. “He’s our left tackle. He‘ll get better. He’ll get stronger. [There were] moments where he played well, moments where he blocked a guy. There’s plays he'd like to have back. We’re not moving Will to guard, or to center, to tight end, or anywhere else.”
Several veteran offensive linemen took to social media to defend Campbell, noting that arm length was not the issue, but poor footwork and bad timing on his initial punch.
“There’s a lot of bad Will Campbell talk/analysis going on right now,” Super Bowl champion and 4-time All-Pro offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz wrote in a Feb. 9 post on X. “Short arms and vertical sets are getting a bad rap when neither is the issue. Said it last night and will say it again: it’s his punch timing (plus one extra technique adjustment).”
Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead said in a social media post that Campbell’s issues are fixable.
New York Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said in a Feb. 9 post on X that Campbell needs time and has a bright future.
“When I first became a starter, I tried to mimic all the great one’s sets and copy them,” Eluemunor said. “It wasn’t until I got to the Giants that I finally found what worked for me and had success with it. It takes time and Will Campbell is a Rookie who has a very very bright future.”
