The New England Patriots came close to finishing a storybook season, but after losing
29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60, they couldn’t complete their final goal of winning a Lombardi trophy. Days after the Super Bowl loss, many critics came out to blame the poor offensive line play.
In addition, a former Patriots Super Bowl MVP gave his take on the current state of the Patriots.
Will Campbell’s Rookie Wake-Up Call on the Biggest Stage
Former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman didn’t avoid the main issue he saw in the championship game. When asked about rookie left tackle Will Campbell and the challenges he faced late in the game, Edelman spoke honestly.
“I personally think Will Campbell got baptized,” Edelman said. “He was going against legendary NFL defensive lines as a rookie. He is going to get better with his technique as time goes on.”
The word ‘baptized’ says a lot.
From the start, Campbell took on one of football’s toughest jobs, which is protecting the quarterback’s blindside. Being a left tackle, especially for a young quarterback, is a particularly challenging task, and unfortunately for Campbell, he struggled when it mattered most.
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During the playoffs, New England faced several disciplined defenses that challenged every part of Campbell’s game. In the Super Bowl, the pressure never let up, leading to rushed throws for Drake Maye.
Rookie tackles tend to have the most trouble with hand placement and timing, which can lead to slow reaction time. Against experienced pass rushers, that can be the difference between a sack and a successful play. Campbell has the size and athleticism teams want in a long-term starter, and so, after an offseason with an NFL program, Campbell should be able to elevate his game to the next level.
But Edelman didn’t just talk about the offensive line.
“They definitely could use another playmaker,” he said. “But also they have a young group of receivers. Maybe get him [Drake Maye] a playmaker.”
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The receivers showed promise this season, especially with how young the core is. They showed that the group led by Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs has real potential.
Although it’s important to note that in the biggest moments against top defenses, they struggled to get open and make big plays. Right now, the Patriots don’t have a player who forces defensive coordinators to adjust their coverage on every play.
Edelman knows what that looks like because he played on offenses that always had someone defenses worried about. The bottom line is that championship offenses have a big-playmaker who can put stress on the defense, and so far, the Patriots don’t have that guy on their roster.
In the Super Bowl, Patriots fans got the opportunity to see the small details that separate contenders from champions. It starts with better protection on the offensive line and having a reliable weapon when games get close.
