The NFL world was unforgiving toward New England Patriots rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell after his performance in Super Bowl 60.
The Patriots’ rookie left tackle struggled to contain the Seattle Seahawks’ relentless pass rush, leaving quarterback Drake Maye brutally exposed.
Will Campbell Struggles As Seahawks Feast on Patriots’ Left Side
Campbell, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, had no answers for Seattle’s ferocious defensive front.
Maye absorbed multiple hits and six sacks in total as New England’s offense stalled, with much of the damage coming off the left edge.
NBC analyst Chris Collinsworth even noted on the broadcast that Maye appeared to be glancing over his left shoulder pre-snap — a damning indicator that the Patriots’ quarterback knew where danger was coming from.
It’s time to have some uncomfortable conversations about Will Campbell.
Chris Collinsworth pointed out that Drake Maye is slightly looking over his left shoulder because he knows that’s the weak spot of the O-line 👀 pic.twitter.com/tsQbGw4i91
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) February 8, 2026
Campbell’s statement after being drafted has gotten attention again. He made a bold commitment to the Patriots’ fanbase to protect Maye; however, 10 months later, he failed on the biggest stage of football.
“I’m gonna fight and die to protect (Maye) with everything I’ve got,” Campbell had said after being drafted.
In PFSN’s NFL Defensive Impact Metric, the Seahawks ranked third, with an impact score of 88.4 and a letter grade of B+.
While the Patriots ranked second in the Offensive Impact Metric in the season with a score of 86.6, they were bullied by the Seattle defense on Sunday night.
NFL World Reacts to Campbell’s Super Bowl Performance
As expected, reactions poured in across X (formerly Twitter), most of them taking a harsh and sarcastic dig at the rookie tackle.
One fan said, “Will Campbell gonna win MVP for the Seahawks lol.”
Will Campbell gonna win MVP for the Seahawks lol
— Football Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) February 9, 2026
Former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III didn’t mince words, saying, “The Patriots have a turnstile at left tackle MY GAWD.”
The Patriots have a turnstile at left tackle MY GAWD.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 9, 2026
New England’s 12th trip to the Super Bowl ended in a 29-13 defeat, denying the Patriots a seventh title.
Others also criticized rookie left guard Jared Wilson, another first-year starter on the offensive line, but Campbell remained the focus, calling them “liabilities” for the Patriots.
Will Campbell after every snap pic.twitter.com/K0WBd7T2fe
— betr (@betr) February 9, 2026
“I know they’re rookies but jared wilson & will campbell are such liabilities man wtf,” a fan said.
i know they’re rookies but jared wilson & will campbell are such liabilities man wtf
— SK⚡️ (@raptalksk) February 9, 2026
“Will Campbell might be the worst offensive lineman I’ve ever seen picked top-5 in the draft,” another fan remarked.
Will Campbell might be the worst offensive lineman I’ve ever seen picked top-5 in the draft
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) February 9, 2026
With the loss, the Patriots are 0-3 in Super Bowls without Bill Belichick as head coach and Tom Brady at quarterback, as Campbell’s struggles became the main talking point of a long, forgettable night for New England.
