Patriots' Mike Vrabel Will Not Move Struggling LT

Although the 2025-26 NFL season has come to a close, New England Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell continues to be placed under a critical microscope.

Given his subpar performance in the Pats’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, pigskin pundits throughout the NFL universe continue to predict that the former LSU Tiger may be best-served by a moving inside New England’s offensive line to left guard. However, head coach Mike Vrabel made it crystal clear that Campbell will be standing pat in 2026.

“Will's 22 years old … He's our left tackle,” Vrabel told reporters at Gillette Stadium, as transcribed by Patriots Media. “He'll get better, he'll get stronger. There were moments where he played well, moments where he blocked the guy. There's plays he'd like to have back.

“We're not moving Will to guard, to center, to tight end or anywhere else,” he added.

While New England collectively played its worst game on the season on the game’s grandest stage, Campbell particularly drew the ire of Pats Nation. He allowed the most pressures (14) in a playoff game since 2018. In fact, his 29 pressures allowed this postseason were the most ever recorded in a single postseason by Next Gen Stats.

As for Cambpell, Vrabel’s vote of confidence helps to clarify the questions surrounding his future position. Prior to suffering an MCL injury in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, the fourth overall election in last April’s draft began to demonstrate solid fundamentals, ranking among the league’s top rookie linemen in protective stats. 

Nonetheless, Campbell exhibited less mobility since his return, often leading to lost battles against longer and quicker defenders. As such, his short-comings are likely to be eliminated through recuperation and intense training. If the Patriots believed that the 22-year-old rookie had already given the team his best effort as a left tackle, then they would have seriously considered moving the LSU product inside to guard. Instead, line coach Doug Marrone, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the Pats coaches must provide Campbell with an extensive offseason tutorial designed to enhance his fundamentals.

Mike Vrabel’s Confidence in Will Campbell is Warranted