When New England Patriots training camp opens at the end of the week, there’s going to be one position group that a lot of eyes are going to be on, and rightfully so. There’s probably not a bigger question mark on the team right now than the offensive line.
The possible outcomes for this group are wildly different, and, depending on who you ask, people either feel a lot better about last year, about the same, or, in some cases, even worse. In this week leading up to camp, I’m going to do a deep dive
into each position along the offensive line and let you know whether I think the Patriots improved, and what to expect from the position as a whole. Today is the fifth and final day and we’re looking at left tackle. Let’s get into it.
Left tackle deep dive
2025 starters: Will Campbell, Vederian Lowe
Projected 2026 starter: Will Campbell
This is the day that you all have been waiting for, and it’s one of the more widely-discussed positions on the team. Rightfully so, when you consider that left tackle is one of the most important positions on the team, and that Will Campbell was simply dreadful in the playoffs.
The question that he is going to have to answer is: Was his play in those four games because of his injury, or is that the guy that he is when facing elite talent? With the Patriots’ lack of explosion on the defensive edge, it might not be a question that gets answered in training camp, but he at least needs to go out and prove that he’s a capable starter. It seems that the fan base is split on whether they believe in him or think that he should be moved to guard.
My take is simple: I believe that Will Campbell will be a solid offensive lineman in the NFL, with the potential to be a very good player. Whether he is a left tackle or guard doesn’t concern me, to be honest. I happen to believe that he will be just fine at left tackle this year, but, if I’m wrong, then the Patriots need to move him somewhere else and go from there.
What has exacerbated this process for most fans is that they traded up in the first round a few months ago to take a player who has only ever played left tackle. Caleb Lomu spent OTAs at right tackle, and the Patriots suggest that the long-term plan is for him to take over for Morgan Moses there, but don’t be surprised when you hear fans calling for Lomu at left tackle the first time Campbell gives up a pressure or sack. I am going to try all year to be the voice of reason and let Campbell prove that he really is the guy at left tackle, but, as a lifetime Masshole, I know that’s not how things work around here.
If he proves that he can’t do it, then the Patriots have some security with the Lomu pick, which is good, but Campbell failing at left tackle would be a very bad outcome for the Patriots.
If you want my opinion, which I assume you do, since you’re still reading this; the Patriots will be better at left tackle this year. Campbell is healthy again, he has had an offseason to get stronger, and he’s been working with a bunch of veterans this offseason. I’m hopeful that he shows that he is an above average to solid player this year, and I believe that he’ll be on track to make a Pro Bowl in the next few years.
