Those looking for an answer to Campbell’s postseason regression can point to the knee injury he suffered late in the season.
Campbell injured his knee in Week 12 and missed four games before returning for New England’s regular-season finale. He said on Tuesday that he had torn ligaments and was not 100% for the playoffs.
While he said such an injury was no excuse, it certainly showed in his play. Campbell allowed 29 pressures through the playoffs, more than half of his regular season total (51) and the most in the postseason in the Next Gen Stats era. Four of his five worst pass blocking grades from PFF came in the playoffs.
Nevertheless, Campbell was one of many foreign contributors who helped fuel the Patriots’ turnaround from 4-13 to AFC champion. The 4th overall pick in the 2025 draft, he has an important future ahead of him in New England, no matter the outcome of one game.
“I slept on it, I watched it,” he said. “I know what I need to get better at and I will continue.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel, speaking later Tuesday, reiterated the team’s faith in Campbell.
“You get to judge yourself. You get to be examined,” Vrabel said. “Will is 22 years old. He’s our left tackle. He’s going to get better. He’s going to get stronger. Moments where he played well, moments where he blocked a guy, those are plays he’d like to have back, but we’re not moving Will to guard or center or tight end or anywhere else.”
Quarterback Drake Maye echoed Vrabel’s sentiment.
“It’s a pleasure going out with Will every time,” Maye said. “He’s going to be a great player in this league. He’s already a great player in this league.”