Campbell allowed a staggering 26.9% pressure rate, with every pressure allowed in one-on-one situations. He gave up four rushing touchdowns (within 2.5 seconds), tied for the most in a Super Bowl by a sack. Since 2018, the 14 QB pressures have been tied for most in postseason play.
While it was an uplifting run to the Super Bowl for the Patriots, Campbell mostly struggled throughout. He allowed 29 pressures in New England’s four postseason games, the most in an NGS season (since 2016).
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had arguably the worst game of his burgeoning two-year career, completing 27 of 43 passes for 295 yards, two touchdowns and three turnovers. At least some of Maye’s offense can be attributed to facing a 52.8% pressure rate.
When asked to comment on Maye’s game, Vrabel declined to place responsibility on the 2024 first baseman.
“We can sit here and try to put it on one guy,” Vrabel said. “You get disappointed because that never happens. It starts with us as a coaching staff making sure we’re doing our part and then we have to be able to execute and we have to be able to defend. When we defend, we have to be able to get through and throw the ball to the open man and help the quarterback and then he has to get better. It’s just never going to change.”
While Vrabel started talking about Maye, he might as well have been talking about the first player he has at left tackle.
Nevertheless, questions will remain about Campbell after such a poor outing on the game’s biggest stage. He didn’t answer any of them after the defeat, so this trouble will wait until he addresses – with his words and game.