Drake Maye opens up about struggles of Will Campbell in Patriots' Super Bowl loss to Seahawks

New England Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell became a target of critics after he failed to adequately protect second-year quarterback Drake Maye throughout New England's 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. 

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Maye defended his friend and teammate. 

Drake Maye: It was a pleasure playing with Will Campbell

"It’s a pleasure going out there with Will every time," Maye said, per Karen Guregian of MassLive. "I know it’s probably been a long year for the rookies. A long year for Will. A long year for these guys to get adapted to the NFL. I think Will is a great case of somebody who experienced it all. Who experienced the ups and downs of the injury side of it. The long times when you don’t want to talk to the media, but you have to." 

Campbell declined interview requests and left the locker room without speaking to reporters shortly after he surrendered 14 pressures in the Super Bowl LX defeat that featured Maye taking six sacks and committing three turnovers. That was the most pressures allowed by a single lineman in any game this season (playoffs included) and the most pressures surrendered by an offensive lineman in a playoff game since 2018.

The fourth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Campbell missed time during his rookie campaign with a Grade 3 MCL sprain. Per Cole Shelton of NESN, Campbell shared on Tuesday that he previously tore a ligament in his knee and wasn't fully healthy during New England's playoff run. 

Drake Maye remains high on Will Campbell despite a poor Super Bowl showing

"The expectations of a first-round pick, I think he’s dealt with so much this year," Maye added about Campbell. "It’s only going to be great for him in the future. He’s going to be a great player in this league. He’s already a great player in this league. I look forward to seeing him in the offseason, hanging out with him, and getting back to (organized team activities). I love Will, and I look forward to playing with him for a long time."

Credit Maye for having his teammate's back, but some understandably feel that the Patriots could look to land an upgrade at left tackle at some point after the new league year opens on March 11.