Since the start of training camp nearly two weeks ago, most of the conversation regarding the Patriots' offensive line hasn't revolved around Will Campbell as many predicted after his far-from-ideal postseason performance, particularly in the Super Bowl.
Because he failed to protect Drake Maye's blindside against one of the toughest defenses in the league this past February, he was ripped to shreds in the media, with many calling for him to be moved to guard, citing his struggles as an indicator that he wasn't a legitimate left tackle.
Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf emphasized over the next few months that they had no plans to do that, and Campbell did all that he could to improve his skills. He spent a lot of time with some of the league's most accomplished linemen, most notably Super Bowl champion and 13-year veteran Lane Johnson.
It's exactly the kind of effort that the Patriots would presumably be hoping for when the team is away from the facility, and now that they're back practicing in Foxboro, it's time to see if that extra work is already paying off.
From the looks of it, Campbell is performing at a high level, so much so that some of his defensive teammates are name-dropping him when speaking about the high-level practices they've had over the past few weeks.
It's something that Campbell has already stressed that he's thankful for, particularly going against a guy like Dre'Mont Jones, who is expected to be a lead pass rusher this fall.
"I'm getting great opportunities to go against good guys. Dre is a guy that I've played in a game (vs. the Titans). He's a really good player. It is good work for both of us I think, because we are familiar with each other. It's kind of like a little chess match out there."
Dre'Mont Jones hypes up Will Campbell's offseason improvements ahead of Year 2
Because the Patriots played the Titans in the 2025 season, when Jones was still on the roster, Campbell had already faced off against his newest teammate.
That prompted Jones to rave about how much better the tackle is this summer, comparing his first experience with him to how he plays now, and it's exactly the kind of update we need on a player who will become an integral part of the Patriots' future.
Dre’Mont Jones says “the sky is the limit” for #Patriots LT Will Campbell.
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) August 4, 2026
“Will is a heck of a player. He’s making me better and I hope I’m making him better. Will has definitely gotten better from the last time I played him last year... He’s definitely watched a lot of film… pic.twitter.com/nycKk3YFva
Considering the barrage of vitriol Campbell faced at the start of the offseason and much of that criticism will follow him into 2026 until he proves he can be consistent and maybe even a difference-maker, it's quite significant to hear that he's already made a noticeable improvement in his performance.
He is going to be relied on as he quickly becomes an anchor of the offensive line, and much of their production will hinge on whether he can maintain his upgraded level of play.
It's crucial that he keeps the momentum going, as the Patriots are about to embark on one of the most difficult schedules of the 2026 season and Drake Maye will be counting on him.
If he can keep up the good work and showcase everything he learned from some of the NFL's best this offseason, then the team should be in a good spot as soon as Week 1.
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