The New England Patriots are in the spotlight as they explore options to bolster their offensive line this offseason. Rumors have been swirling about their interest in Green Bay Packers' left tackle Rasheed Walker, but Patriots executive vice president of player personnel, Eliot Wolf, was quick to dispel these claims at the NFL Combine.
Wolf addressed the speculation head-on, stating, “I saw that report. And it’s not true.
He’s under contract with the Packers right now.” He further pointed out that both teams supposedly linked to Walker had already invested in left tackles during last year's draft, casting doubt on the report's accuracy.
However, Wolf did acknowledge that offensive tackle remains a critical area for the Patriots. With Vederian Lowe and Thayer Munford hitting free agency and veteran Morgan Moses turning 35, the need for depth and future planning is clear. Moses had an outstanding season, but age is a factor that can't be ignored.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Patriots are set to have Moses and Will Campbell as their starting tackles. Campbell, who was the fourth overall pick last year, showed promise by starting 13 games. Unfortunately, a MCL injury sidelined him for five weeks, and his return during the playoffs was rocky, especially in Super Bowl LX where quarterback Drake Maye faced relentless pressure.
This has sparked discussions about Campbell's role at left tackle. Yet, head coach Mike Vrabel remains confident in Campbell's abilities, reaffirming his position as the team's left tackle moving forward.
Wolf echoed this sentiment, noting, “Specifically, when he came back from that injury, I personally didn’t see the same level of lower body strength that you saw before the injury. But before that, I thought Will played really well out here.”
Wolf also highlighted Campbell's technical skills and quickness, which compensate for concerns about his arm length. At just 22, Campbell is still developing, and the Patriots expect him to continue improving his game.
As the offseason unfolds, the Patriots will undoubtedly keep a close eye on their options, but for now, their faith in Campbell and the current roster remains steadfast.