The New England Patriots can’t ignore a growing problem about rookie left tackle Will Campbell.
There’s a growing sense the New England Patriots might have a problem with 2025 NFL draft No. 4 pick Will Campbell. At the very least, the Pats can’t ignore an “undercurrent of panic” about the rookie left tackle.
Reasons to worry were spelled out by MassLive.com’s Karen Guregian, who pointed out “Campbell hasn’t exactly alleviated anyone’s fears about being able to handle the position in the pros. As many learned prior to the Patriots drafting the LSU standout, the odds of tackles with short arms having success aren’t great.”
Guregian went further by explaining that “while a stud in run-blocking, he’s had trouble in 1-on-1s and pass blocking in general. Some of it can be chalked up to being a rookie and learning what flies in college technique-wise doesn’t necessarily work in the pros. Of course, a lot of the blame will go to his short arms.”
The issue of arm length dogged Campbell both before and after the draft, but it’s not the only problem facing the Patriots.
Losing out to the team’s edge-rushers at training camp has become an unhappy habit for Campbell. Some struggles are to be expected from a first-year player expected to immediately start at arguably football’s second-most important position, but as Chad Graff of The Athletic put it, Campbell’s “been beaten for a sack in just about every practice, which isn’t great considering he’s usually on the field each practice for only 15 or so passing plays in full-team drills.”
A fundamental flaw in Campbell’s technique is causing most of the problems, according to Graff. Campbell “tends to get beaten to the inside after oversetting, and it probably doesn’t help that the Pats don’t yet know who their left guard is next to him.”
The last point about the Patriots lacking a credible starter next to Campbell is a reasonable mitigating factor for some of his struggles. Yet, as Graff pointed out, “extrapolate those numbers, and that’s allowing two sacks each NFL game if you throw the ball 30 times. Not great.”
New England’s offense can’t afford a blindside protector as vulnerable as Campbell has looked this offseason. Not when second-year quarterback Drake Maye is at a key stage of his development as a would-be franchise signal-caller.
Maye needs to focus on avoiding a familiar problem throwing the ball. Not worry about facing incessant pressure.
Fortunately, Campbell has shown one intangible to ease some of the concerns.
Campbell may be having a tough time, but the way he’s responding still bodes well for his ability to thrive at this level. Specifically, “coaches seem especially pleased with his steady demeanor to navigate those ups and downs, with (head coach Mike) Vrabel saying he’s earned the top role at this point,” according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Not being cowed by early setbacks is a good sign about Campbell’s temperament. He gave an insight into how his mental strength has been augmented by words of wisdom from returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Campbell told reporters after practice on Saturday, August 2, “Josh McDaniels told me a couple weeks ago. You don’t lose. You learn or you win. I’m a rookie. I’m out here learning. Some things I do in College don’t work out here,” per Patriots on CLNS.
McDaniels and the Patriots need 21-year-old Campbell to stay tough because of a lack of depth at such a key position.
Options are thin because “last year’s starter, Vederian Lowe, who was part of that woeful line, is on the PUP list. Outside of him, Caedan Wallace, a right tackle who was drafted last year to play left, is now a guard. Marcus Bryant, a 2025 rookie 7th round pick who is a left tackle, is on the bubble,” per Guregian.
It’s not a good look at the signature spot along the offensive line. Depth this thin only increases the burden on Campbell to live up to his draft status and waste no time proving himself an accomplished NFL starter capable of keeping Maye clean.
Vrabel’s rebuild will be short a vital building block if Campbell can’t make the grade.
