New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell. Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Patriots HC Mike Vrabel discusses Will Campbell's future at LT after disappointing Super Bowl LX performance

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Feb 10, 2026 2:56 PM ET

The New England Patriots may want to consider a position change for left tackle Will Campbell after the Seattle Seahawks exposed him in Super Bowl LX.

But Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel isn't planning on doing that. On Tuesday, he defended Campbell (pick No. 4 of the 2025 NFL Draft) after the 29-13 loss to Seattle.

Mike Vrabel explains why he isn't planning on moving Will Campbell

"Will is 22 years old. He's our left tackle," the coach said, via NFL Media's Cameron Wolfe. "He'll get better. He'll get stronger...there's plays he'd like to have back. We're not moving Will to guard, center, tight end or anywhere else."

Campbell may be more suited for guard than tackle. At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, his arms were measured at 32 5/8 inches, considered too short to block NFL edge-rushers. The average arm length of top pass-rushers is typically 33 1/2 inches.

Patriots HC Mike Vrabel with a strong defense of rookie LT Will Campbell amid criticism: “Will is 22 years old. He’s our left tackle. He’ll get better. He’ll get stronger… there’s plays he’d like to have back. We’re not moving Will to guard, center, tight end or anywhere else.”
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) February 10, 2026

That may have contributed to his struggles against Seattle's elite pass-rush, which tied for seventh in the NFL in sacks (47) during the regular season. Per Pro Football Focus, Campbell allowed a season-high eight pressures (one sack, one hit and six hurries) in Super Bowl LX.

Perhaps it was big-game jitters. Campbell played much better in the regular season, allowing 26 pressures in 13 games (via PFF). In the playoffs, he surrendered 19.

A nagging injury also played a factor. Campbell revealed Tuesday the extent of a Grade 3 MCL sprain he suffered in November.

"It obviously wasn't 100 percent," Campbell said, per Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. "I mean, I don't think when you tear a ligament in your knee, it's not going to be how it was before, but I was healthy enough to go. I'm not going to say that it held me back, but yeah, it wasn't the same as it was before, obviously. But I was good."

The Patriots are expected to start OTAs in late May. Specific dates will be announced later this offseason.

That gives Campbell plenty of time to heal and prepare for the 2026 season. If his struggles continue, pundits will keep questioning whether Vrabel should move him inside. That could clearly benefit the O-lineman after a rocky performance on football's biggest stage.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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