Will Campbell has already picked up some encouraging reviews inside Patriots training camp, and the praise is coming from a familiar face.
Dre’Mont Jones, who went against Campbell last year and is now sharing a locker room with him in New England, offered a positive assessment of the young offensive lineman’s progress. “#Patriots EDGE Dre’Mont Jones says Will Campbell has definitely improved since they played each other last year. Jones points to Campbell being stouter, more patient with his hands, and staying square longer through the rush,” reported Evan Lazar of Patriots.com.
That kind of feedback matters for Campbell, who entered last season with plenty of expectations as a high draft pick. He had his moments during the year, but the Super Bowl stage against the Seahawks’ elite defense was a rough one, and a lot of the blame from that loss landed on him after he struggled badly against Seattle’s front.
Now the Patriots are in camp this month trying to build toward the 2026 NFL season, and Campbell’s development is part of the bigger picture. The team is coming off a trip to the Super Bowl and wants to show that last season wasn’t a one-off.
Jones’ perspective carries a little extra weight because he was on the Tennessee Titans last year when they played New England, and he’s now on the same side as Campbell. For the Patriots, that’s the kind of internal sign they’re looking for as they sort through camp.
There’s still a long way to go for Campbell, but the early indication is that he’s moving in the right direction. That’s especially important because New England won’t get the luxury of another soft schedule. The Patriots are facing a much tougher path this season after the historically easy slate they had in 2025.
The year starts fast, too. New England opens with a Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks on September 9.
In Other News...
Patriots Just Added A Familiar Defensive Lineman For A Reason
The Patriots have added another body to the interior defensive line, signing defensive tackle Casey Rogers after a successful workout and using the roster opening created when linebacker Otis Reese was released. Rogers is entering his third NFL season and is expected to provide rotational depth inside, a practical move for a team still sorting out its mix up front.
Rogers also brings a layer of familiarity with the coaching staff, which likely helped make the transition easier once the workout went well. The signing does not affect New Englands salary cap, and it gives the Patriots another experienced option while they continue to manage the edges of the roster with the season moving along. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Camp Is Putting One Thin Position Group Under The Microscope
Day 8 of Patriots training camp brought the usual blend of practice updates, injury watch and roster sorting, but it also kept attention on a position group that suddenly looks a lot thinner than usual. New England added defensive tackle Casey Rogers from the UFL, another move that reinforces how much the team is still trying to stabilize the interior of its defensive line as camp moves deeper into the summer.
The rest of the days reporting centered on who was on the field, who was not and how the coaching staff is shaping early roster projections. There were the standard rounds of media availability from players and coaches, along with notes on participation and recovery, but the bigger picture is hard to miss: the Patriots are still evaluating bodies and roles up front, and every camp rep matters when a position group is being watched this closely. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Camp Is Putting Unexpected Pressure On Two Position Battles
Early in Patriots training camp, the most interesting roster fights are not always the ones involving the biggest names. Tight end and cornerback have both turned into spots to watch, with rookies Eli Raridon and Tanner Arkin getting a real look as the team sorts through depth and roles behind the established pieces. Head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye have both offered encouraging views of the progress being made, which matters this time of year because summer practices often reveal who can handle more than just a handful of snaps.
Raridon and Arkin have each found ways to stay in the mix through the first weeks, and their work has added a little extra pressure to a competition that was already more open than it first appeared. Karon Prunty has also been part of that quieter roster battle, giving the Patriots more to evaluate as camp moves along and the cuts get closer. Nothing is settled yet, but the way these lesser-known players have kept showing up in key spots suggests the final decisions may be harder than expected. [Read more 🡒]