The entire National Football League universe will have its eyes on New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye on Wednesday night in Seattle.
It’s the proverbial only game in town, and he is “the guy.”
But for the more sophisticated Patriots fan? Their eyes will be focused on No. 66, the guy entrusted with protecting Maye, left tackle Will Campbell.
Trying to turn the page
It was a long offseason for Campbell, first rehabbing his injured knee and then prepping for OTAs and mini-camp, visiting and working out with the likes of Philly’s Lane Johnson and Buffalo’s Dion Dawkins.
As tough a grind as that was, the playoff stretch was harder as Campbell was the poster child for an offensive line that allowed 21 playoff sacks and at least as many more QB hits on Maye through the four-game playoff run.
The Seahawks pounced on Campbell in Super Bowl LX.
© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The opener on his mind
Now a second-year starter, the LSU product has been hungry for the rematch for months.
“I think it’s exciting to go out there and play for the real thing now,” said Campbell. “We’ve put in a lot of work, and I’m just really excited about our group and (I’m) just excited to get out there and compete with the guys.
“Our focus is going out there and playing to our identity, executing our game plan, and just playing to the best of our abilities.”
Interestingly enough, it was offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who came to the defense of Campbell for the performance against the Seahawks.
“I didn’t do a good enough job. Point it at me,” said McDaniels. “They ‘out-everythinged’ us in the game. Start with coaching and that comes back to me. We have a lot of things we learned.”
Coach has been impressed
McDaniels has liked what he’s seen from Campbell all summer long and expects much better, not just this time around against Seattle but all season long.
“I don’t really look at it as a rebound. I look at it as a progression of a second-year player,” said McDaniels. “I think he’s had a good mindset all year, really good mindset all year, locked in. Good spring, good camp, trying to work on the things that he knows at his position are important and critical to his improvement.”
