In the wake of the Patriots' Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks, one of the biggest questions entering the offseason was whether Will Campbell would remain at left tackle for his second NFL season or bump inside to guard.
Well, New England coach Mike Vrabel has already given his answer to that question, making a bold declaration at his breakup day press conference on Tuesday.
"Will's 22 years old. He's our left tackle," Vrabel said. "He'll get better. He'll get stronger. Moments where he played well, moments where he blocked a guy. There's plays he'd like to have back, but we're not moving Will to guard or center or tight end or anywhere else."
The Patriots made Campbell the fourth overall pick in the 2025 draft despite questions about his arm length. The rookie certainly looked good at times this season, but he suffered a knee injury in Week 12 and struggled mightily in the playoffs after returning.
Campbell told reporters on Tuesday that he suffered a torn ligament and wasn't 100% for the playoffs.
"It obviously wasn't 100%," Campbell said. "I mean, I don't think when you tear a ligament in your knee, it's not going to be how it was before. But I was healthy enough to go. I'm not going to say that it held me back, but yeah, it wasn't the same as it was before, obviously. But I was good."
Campbell also apologized to media for not talking Sunday night after the Super Bowl, saying that he was too emotional and didn't want to say anything he would regret. He owned up to his disappointing performance on Tuesday.
"It comes with the job when you don't perform," Campbell said. "Obviously, I was picked high, paid a lot, so people expect a certain thing, and I expect more myself. So, whenever I don't perform, I don't expect everyone to be like, 'It's okay, buddy.' I mean, obviously it sucks, but it doesn't suck for anyone more than it sucks for me."