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When New England Patriots training camp opens this weekend in Foxborough, 2025 first-round pick Will Campbell hopes to quietly go about his business as he readies for the upcoming season.
Considering the final stages of the regular season and the postseason that Campbell endured at left tackle, that is the unlikeliest of scenarios.
New England's 'X-factor'
In his most recent piece, Athlon Sports' Doug Farrar named Campbell “the Patriots' X-factor for the 2026 season."
Considering the importance of his position, protecting Drake Maye’s blind side, it is easy to understand why.
Campbell, completely recovered from the torn MCL that clearly slowed him down in the playoffs, has put in the requisite work to put the struggle of late 2025 behind him.
“After the season my No. 1 goal, was just take a couple days away and kind of assess everything with the coaches – pinpoint down what we feel like I do really well, and some things I need to get better at,” said Campbell at the team's June mini-camp.
“Getting back healthy, I did (physical therapy) five days a week the entire offseason till we got back, trying to rebuild the strength in my knee to get it back to where it was previously. I feel like I did a good job with that. Working, training, trying to put myself in the best position possible to come back in the best shape I can.”
Putting in extra effort
After minicamp, he went out and worked with guys from other teams like Dion Dawkins of Buffalo and Lane Johnson of the Eagles, trying to hone his craft.
“You learn a lot (as a rookie). You learn something new each week,” said Campbell during June mini-camp. “It’s kind of hard to pinpoint one specific thing. Obviously, the length of the season is something rookies have to get used to and navigating through injury. You learn something new each week.”
