Will Campbell had a Super Bowl to forget on Sunday. The rookie left tackle labored all day against the Seattle Seahawks’ stout defensive front, with Next Gen Stats tabbing Campbell for a whopping 14 pressures allowed. New England’s offensive line played a key role in the Patriots’ offensive woes at Levi’s Stadium, as Drake Maye was sacked six times and hit on another 11 plays in New England’s eventual 29-13 loss.
Campbell’s struggles in particular raised a few eyebrows. He had also been a liability during New England’s postseason victories against the Chargers and Texans before bouncing back in the AFC title game against the Broncos.
In the aftermath of New England’s season-ending loss, there has been plenty of discourse over Campbell’s long-term role with the Patriots and whether or not the fourth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is better suited to play left guard moving forward.
Count former Patriots offensive-line coach Dante Scarnecchia among those who believe the jury is still out for a 22-year-old player like Campbell.
“I’ll tell you what. I’m not firing this guy,” Scarnecchia told MassLive’s Karen Guregian. “I’m putting him right back where he was.”
Despite Campbell’s poor finish to the season, Scarnecchia noted that he had largely lived up to expectations as a stout rookie left tackle for the majority of the 2025 season before an MCL injury hampered his play. Campbell missed four games at the end of the season due to that knee injury and noted after New England’s season wrapped that he was not feeling 100 percent during the playoffs.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed that the team does not intend to move Campbell off tackle in 2026.
“Will’s 22 years old, he’s our left tackle,” Vrabel said. “He’ll get better, he’ll get stronger. There’s plays he’d like to have back. We’re not moving Will to guard, or center, or to tight end, or anywhere else.”
As Campbell looks to right the ship, Scarnecchia voiced support for Vrabel’s decision to stand behind his rookie in hopes he can put his Super Bowl performance in the rearview mirror.
“What I like that’s come out so far is that Mike is of the mentality we’re not moving him,” Scarnecchia told Guregian. “We’re keeping him [at left tackle]. We liked him coming out. And we’re going to do everything we can to see why this guy’s production and ability lessened in the last four games, as opposed to the first 12 games. That’s what you do as coaches.”
Looking ahead to his second NFL season, Campbell has already received an offer from former All-Pro tackle Terron Armstead to work out together during the offseason.
“Terron Armstead, who was a Pro Bowl left tackle for many, many years, gave me this review. It has nothing to do with his arm length,” NFL Media’s Cameron Wolfe said. “It was his set, he’s having issues with power, his timing with the punches. He actually volunteered to have Will Campbell work out with him in Dallas this summer.
“He believes the issues are fixable as far as those particular power issues. He said a lot of times he’s walking backwards and not necessarily set as the defensive lineman comes about him. He thinks that’s just time that you need, rep wise, and he can certainly still be a good tackle in this league.”
With strong veteran support and the backing of his coaches, Campbell’s 2026 season will be one to watch as he aims to fulfill his potential as New England’s starting left tackle.
https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2026/02/12/will-campbell-new-england-patriots-nfl-football-left-tackle-guard-dante-scarnecchia/