NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
No one on the New England Patriots offense looked otherworldly during Super Bowl LX, but Will Campbell took the brunt of the blame.
The offensive tackle was the fourth pick in last year’s NFL Draft, which automatically comes with pretty high expectations.
Campbell struggled throughout the season, especially in the playoffs, having just returned from a Grade 3 MCL sprain in Week 18. In the Super Bowl, he allowed 14 pressures — the most in one game of any lineman all season.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell walks off the field after Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Knowing he would be responsible for arguably the worst performance by a lineman all season, Campbell did not speak to the media after the game. But back in New England on Tuesday, he took to the microphone and voluntarily apologized to the media, saying he was afraid of saying something he would regret.
“(I) just had a lot of emotion, obviously, after a tough loss, a long year. There’s just a lot of emotion that comes with it,” he said, via the Boston Herald . “I just wanted to make sure I had my head on straight before I said something I didn’t want to say, something I didn’t need to say. And I know that can happen, especially with myself, when there’s emotion involved.”
New England Patriots tackle Will Campbell (66) and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall exchange words during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
OLYMPIC MEDALIST VOLUNTARILY ADMITS CHEATING WITH ‘GOLD MEDAL’ BOYFRIEND OF 6 MONTHS IN EMOTIONAL INTERVIEW
“When I get emotional, I tend not to have a mind. And that’s not the way I need to approach this. I know myself, and if I would have spoken afterwards, I would have said something that I didn’t have to say,” Campbell added.
As for the blame he’s received, Campbell said it comes with the territory.
“It comes with the job. When you don’t perform, obviously I was (drafted) high, paid a lot. So people expect a certain thing, and I expect more from myself. So every time I don’t perform, I don’t expect everyone to be like, ‘It’s okay, mate.’
Campbell started in all 17 games he played this season, including the postseason, and expects to improve significantly.
Drake Maye of the New England Patriots looks to pass as Will Campbell blocks against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
“I don’t think one performance defines a season. I think I did some good things this year,” he said. “Obviously, there’s room for growth in every aspect of my game. I’m 22 years old. I’ve got a lot of room to grow in every aspect as a player, as a leader — whether it’s strength and conditioning, pass protection, run blocking, whatever. I’ve got growth everywhere. I’m young. I’m learning.”
