The New England Patriots saw their dream season come to a crushing end, losing 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 in Super Bowl 60 on Sunday night. While there were several disappointing performances scattered throughout the loss, one of the most concerning was the play of left tackle Will Campbell.
After struggling for most of the playoffs, Campbell continued to have issues in the Super Bowl, allowing three pressures, including a sack on 37 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The performance also brought Campbell’s totals to 14 pressures and four sacks over the Patriots’ four-game postseason run.
With the issues in pass protection, Campbell’s future at left tackle has been a hot topic, and it could leave the Patriots back to where they started, looking for someone to take Campbell’s place this offseason.
Patriots Could Look for a New Left Tackle This Offseason
The Patriots took Campbell with the fourth overall pick in April’s draft with the idea that he’d protect Drake Maye’s blindside for the next decade.
Campbell’s rookie season wasn’t a complete disaster in that he allowed 26 pressures on 449 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. But also allowed five sacks and committed seven penalties (one declined), showing his deficiencies on the outside against faster, stronger edge rushers.
This doesn't mean that Campbell doesn’t have a future with the Patriots. But it’s more likely that his future is at guard, opposed to tackle. While that would open a positional value discussion due to where he was drafted, it may also reopen New England’s search for a franchise left tackle.
The Patriots could look for a short-term option in free agency, but those options are usually available for a reason. A more likely approach could see New England taking an offensive tackle in April’s draft, which includes eight in the top 50 spots on Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board.
While Miami’s Francis Mauigoa (No. 4) and Utah’s Spencer Fano (No. 5) will be gone by the time the Patriots are on the clock with the 31st overall pick, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor (No. 20), Utah’s Caleb Lomu (No. 24), and Georgia’s Monroe Freeling (No. 33) could be available when New England is on the clock. Even if the Patriots use a Day 2 or 3 pick on an offensive tackle, it could be good insurance in case Campbell needs to be moved.
The first domino here is that the Patriots need to make Campbell’s move official. The answer to that could be revealed as soon as the start of the league year and could help Campbell and the Patriots make the most out of their offensive line.