Before the New England Patriots drafted Will Campbell No. 4 overall in last year’s draft, many projected the LSU standout as a guard rather than a tackle in the NFL.
New England, however, viewed Campbell at his natural tackle position. After drafting him to fill their need at left tackle, Campbell went on to start 17 games his rookie season.
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His 17th start, however, was not his best — something Campbell described as “terrible” after rewatching the film. Facing a talented Seahawks front, he allowed a sack and several pressures, which reignited the questions about his long-term position.
Speaking Tuesday before the team broke for the offseason, head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the scrutiny Campbell faced while making it clear the organization remains committed to him as the team’s left tackle.
“When you sign up to play left tackle, you sign up to play corner, you sign up to play quarterback, you sign up to be the head coach, you get judged, you get scrutinized,” Vrabel said. “Will’s 22 years old. He’s our left tackle. He’ll get better, he’ll get stronger.
“There were moments where he played well, moments where he blocked the guy. There’s plays he’d like to have back. We’re not moving Will to guard, to center, to tight end or anywhere else. So, I don’t know what to tell you.”
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Campbell, who apologized to reporters Tuesday for not speaking after the Super Bowl, also revealed he tore a ligament in his knee Nov. 23 against the Bengals. The injury sidelined him for five regular-season games before he returned in Week 18 and started all four playoff matchups.
With a healthy offseason ahead to recover and add strength, Drake Maye is confident Campbell will be ready to protect his blindside again next season.
“It’s a pleasure going out there with Will every time,” Maye said Tuesday. “I know it’s probably been a long year for the rookies, a long year for Will, a long year for these guys to get adapted to playing in the NFL. I think Will is a great case of somebody who’s experienced it all, experienced the ups and downs, the injury side of it. The long times where you don’t want to talk to the media, but you have to, or the expectations of a first-round pick.
“I think he’s dealt with so much this year. It’s only going to be great for him in the future. He’s going to be a great player in this league. He already is a great player in this league, and I look forward to getting back in, seeing him in the offseason, hanging out with him and getting back into OTAs. I love Will, and I look forward to playing with him for a long time.”
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