Despite evidence suggesting he might be better suited to play in the interior of the offensive line, the New England Patriots have reaffirmed their commitment to Will Campbell as their left tackle. However, they've also prepared for the worst.
Signing Alijah Vera-Tucker and James Hudson III gave the team potential options to fill in at left tackle if needed. Now, with Caleb Lomu also in the mix, it looks like the Patriots are sending Campbell a clear message: We believe in you, but we won't let you hold us back.
Will Campbell is Officially on the Clock in New England
Campbell's short arms were a major concern in the pre-draft process. His tape, work ethic, and numbers were impressive nonetheless, but it didn't take long for his physical limitations to be exposed in the pros.
Blindside protection was a massive issue for Mike Vrabel's team in the playoffs, and Campbell was the team's weakest link in the Super Bowl. Now, they have a potential replacement right there waiting for them.
Lomu is a bit raw, but he's a natural left tackle. He may only need some tuning up and refining before being pro-ready. New England probably selected him as an eventual replacement for Morgan Moses, but Lomu anchored the Utah Utes' left side of the offensive line, and he did an amazing job.
The Patriots used a top-five selection to get Campbell, so they will give him every opportunity to learn through his mistakes. That said, this team is clearly ahead of schedule, and if he remains a potential liability, they will have no choice but to move him.
Lomu's arrival gives them a natural left tackle, and maybe they could move Campbell to the interior, where many have suggested his shorter arms might not be as large an issue. Campbell will most likely be against that change, though, given that the money will be significantly less. That said, it might also be the only way to salvage his career should the 2026 campaign be a repeat of his rookie season.
It's still way too early to give up on him, and it's not like he's the only promising tackle to struggle as a rookie. However, it's not like his arms are going to grow overnight. Projections can be meaningless, but there's also a reason teams stick to them and rarely go against the grain of the physical archetypes at every position.
The Patriots need to keep their options open. Ideally, Lomu will be their right tackle for years to come. But if Campbell doesn't take that next step in his second year in the league, they might as well give their No. 28 pick a chance.
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