Will Campbell’s Crucial Test: Patriots’ AFC Title Hopes May Hinge on Rookie Left Tackle
The New England Patriots’ 2025 turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable - the kind of season that feels like it was scripted in Hollywood. A year removed from a 4-13 finish and the basement of the AFC East, the Patriots are now just one win away from the Super Bowl.
They’ve done it behind an MVP-level quarterback, a rejuvenated defense, and a first-year head coach who’s brought swagger and structure back to Foxborough. But as the AFC Championship looms, there’s one glaring concern that could derail this dream run: the left tackle spot, and more specifically, the health and performance of rookie Will Campbell.
Let’s be clear - Campbell has been a big part of the Patriots’ success story. The fourth-overall pick stepped in at left tackle and, for most of the season, looked like a long-term anchor on the blindside.
He brought toughness, poise, and a physical edge to an offensive line that needed stability. But as the postseason has unfolded, cracks have started to show - and they’re widening at the worst possible time.
Campbell is still working his way back from a midseason MCL sprain, and the tape from the last two playoff games has raised some red flags. Against a physical Broncos defense that thrives on exploiting even the smallest weaknesses in protection, that left edge could become the focal point of Sunday night’s AFC title game.
A Season Reborn Under Vrabel and Maye
The Patriots’ regular season wasn’t just a bounce-back - it was a full-blown transformation. Under head coach Mike Vrabel, New England surged to a 14-3 record, claimed the AFC East crown, and secured the conference’s No. 2 seed.
Offensively, they went from near the bottom of the league in efficiency to leading the NFL in EPA per play. That’s not just a leap - that’s a rocket launch.
At the center of it all? Quarterback Drake Maye.
In just his second season, Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, earning All-Pro honors and commanding an offense that looked fast, fearless, and fully modern. He played like a veteran, not a sophomore, and his connection with Vrabel’s staff turned the Patriots into one of the most balanced teams in football.
Defensively, they held opponents to just 18.8 points per game - fourth-best in the league - restoring that old-school New England toughness.
In the playoffs, that formula kept rolling. The Patriots handled the Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round and followed that up with a 28-16 win over the Texans.
Maye was sharp, the defense was suffocating, and the coaching edge was obvious. But beneath the surface, one issue started to bubble up: the offensive line, particularly the left tackle spot, started to show signs of strain.
Campbell’s Postseason Struggles
Before his injury, Campbell looked the part. In his first nine games, he allowed just five sacks and posted a solid 76.6 PFF grade.
He was physical in the run game and dependable in pass protection - exactly what you want from a top-five pick. But since returning from that MCL sprain in Week 12, he hasn’t been the same.
In the two playoff games, Campbell has allowed three sacks and nine total pressures. Those include two strip-sacks against Houston - plays that could’ve been catastrophic if not for his quick recovery. That kind of volatility is a dangerous game to play against a Broncos defense that led the league in sacks (68) and thrives on creating chaos.
Denver’s front, led by edge rusher Nik Bonitto, is tailor-made to attack exactly what Campbell has struggled with since returning: footwork, anchor strength, and recovery ability. Bonitto, who racked up 14 sacks during the regular season, is a nightmare for linemen who can’t reset quickly or extend fully. And Denver’s scheme is designed to isolate tackles in space - no help, no hiding, just one-on-one battles in the spotlight.
The Mile High Factor and Offensive Adjustments
And then there’s the altitude. Playing in Denver isn’t just about crowd noise - it’s about fatigue.
Late in games, when legs get heavy and technique starts to slip, that’s when the Broncos feast. If Campbell fades, the pressure could pile up in a hurry, forcing Vrabel and the Patriots to adjust their game plan.
Expect New England to lean heavily on tight ends and running backs to chip and double on the edge. That can help keep Maye upright, but it also limits what the offense can do downfield. Fewer receivers in routes means fewer explosive plays - and against a defense like Denver’s, every yard matters.
The Patriots still have a lot going for them. They’re better coached, more balanced, and facing a Broncos team starting Jarrett Stidham due to Bo Nix’s season-ending injury.
But none of that will matter if Maye is under siege. This game will be decided in the trenches, and the spotlight is squarely on the left edge.
Campbell’s Moment of Truth
Campbell doesn’t need to be perfect - but he does need to be better. He needs to hold his ground, protect Maye’s blindside, and give this offense the time and space to operate. If he can do that, New England has a real shot to keep this magical run alive and punch its ticket to the Super Bowl.
But if the pressure overwhelms him again, if Bonitto and the Broncos break through early and often, the Patriots could be staring at yet another Mile High heartbreak - with their brightest young star paying the price.
So yes, the concern is real. It’s not panic - it’s recognition of what’s at stake. Sunday night will reveal whether Campbell can rise to the moment or whether this fairytale season hits an all-too-familiar wall in Denver.