Will Campbell battled through more than just defensive linemen during the Patriots’ playoff run - he was also playing through a torn ligament in his knee.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, the 22-year-old left tackle confirmed he wasn’t at full strength during New England’s postseason stretch. Campbell made it clear, though: the injury wasn’t an excuse.
“I don’t expect everyone to be like, ‘It’s okay, buddy,’” Campbell said. “It sucks, but it doesn’t suck for anyone more than it sucks for me.”
That kind of accountability speaks volumes, especially coming from a player who entered the league with sky-high expectations. Drafted fourth overall in 2025 - the first offensive lineman off the board - Campbell was handed the keys to protect the blind side from Day 1. And for much of the regular season, he did just that, logging 783 offensive snaps across 13 games before landing on injured reserve in late November with a knee issue.
He returned for the regular-season finale and toughed it out through four playoff games, including the Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. But the toll of the injury showed.
According to Next Gen Stats, Campbell gave up 14 pressures in the Super Bowl - the most in a playoff game since 2018. Over the course of the entire postseason, he allowed 29 pressures, the most ever recorded in a single playoff run since Next Gen began tracking the stat.
That’s a rough stat line for any tackle, let alone one drafted in the top five. But Campbell isn’t hiding from it. He knows what comes with being a high pick and a well-paid cornerstone of the franchise.
“People expect a certain thing, and I expect more myself,” he said.
It wasn’t just Campbell who struggled up front. The entire Patriots offensive line had a tough time keeping Seattle’s pass rush at bay, surrendering six sacks and 11 quarterback hits in the Super Bowl. Head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Nobody played good enough for us to win,” Vrabel said.
It’s a harsh truth, but one that underscores the fine margins in championship football. Protection breaks down, and even the best game plans unravel.
For Campbell, this offseason is going to be about recovery and reflection. Playing hurt in the postseason is nothing new in the NFL - it’s practically part of the job description come January - but doing so as a rookie, at the most demanding position on the line, is no small feat.
The numbers weren’t pretty, and the criticism came fast. But Campbell’s willingness to own his performance, even while battling through injury, is the kind of mindset that bodes well for his future.
The Patriots drafted him to be a long-term anchor on the left side. Year One came with growing pains - and a painful knee - but also the kind of experience you can’t teach.
If he can channel that adversity into growth, Campbell’s ceiling remains as high as advertised.