In a surprising revelation, Will Campbell, the rookie offensive tackle for the New England Patriots, disclosed that he played the entire 2025 season with a torn ligament in his knee. This injury might have been a decisive factor in the Patriots’ disappointing performance during their Super Bowl run, where they faced a significant defeat against the Seattle Seahawks.

Just two days post the Super Bowl LX loss, Campbell addressed the media, stating. “It comes with the job,” highlighting the pressure that comes with being a first-round pick and the expectations from fans and management alike. He acknowledged his struggle in the playoffs, which included allowing 14 pressures and contributing to one of the Seahawks’ six sacks on starting quarterback Drake Maye during the championship game.

“When you don’t perform, obviously, I was (drafted) high, paid a lot. People expect a certain thing, and I expect more of myself. Whenever I don’t perform, I don’t expect it to be ok,’” he said, articulating the weight of expectations he feels.

Campbell also reflected on his choice to avoid the media immediately after the game, explaining, “When I get emotional, I tend to have no mind… If I would have spoken after, I would have said something I didn’t need to say.”

Despite his challenges against Seattle, Campbell received support from Maye, who noted the difficulties faced by first-round picks and expressed his belief in Campbell’s potential to grow into a formidable player. Patriots’ coach Mike Vrabel reinforced this sentiment, stating that Campbell is still young and will continue to improve.

Maye, who struggled himself during the match, also recognized that he could have made better decisions that day. He expressed hopes of bouncing back in the upcoming season, commenting, “I love Will. I look forward to playing with him for a long time.”