Josh McDaniels Says What We’re All Thinking On Will Campbell’s Struggles
New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell has had a tough week in the media.
While Patriots fans are generally optimistic about the rookie pass protector’s season, many NFL fans’ first exposure to the young player was under a microscope during the NFL playoffs.
Campbell has lined up opposite some of the league’s most talented edge rushers, like Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr. and Khalil Mack.
The opening two rounds of the playoffs left much to be desired from the tackle’s play. Still, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels told reporters that struggles were expected from New England’s young core.
“It’s never a straight line,” McDaniels said. “I think Will’s — we have a lot of young players that are playing, and they’re a lot. I think there’s a lot that’s been learned over the last two games by a lot of people, and that’s a good thing. You’re never going to go into the playoffs as a young player and just, like, dominate your matchup the entire time. That’s really difficult to imagine.”
Campbell was outstanding in the regular season, posting a PFF pass blocking grade of 76.1 through 13 starts. He allowed just five sacks and five QB hits on 782 snaps played.
With the amount of success the Patriots have enjoyed this season, it’s easy to forget just how inexperienced this roster is.
“So I think between Drake (Maye) and TreVeyon (Henderson) and Jared (Wilson) and Will and Kyle (Williams) — and I’m sure there’s guys on defense that have learned a lot, too — you’re playing against really good players,” McDaniels said. “You’re playing against really good coaches. There’s going to be some ups and downs in the game that you have to persevere through, and that’s the nature of the National Football League and the postseason.”
As a six-time Super Bowl champion, McDaniels has more than enough postseason wisdom to pass on. He said Campbell has to be better, but so does the entire roster if they want to earn their first Super Bowl berth in seven years.