Patriots Player Could Have a Breakout Year Under Mike Vrabel

Will Campbell’s rookie season showed plenty of promise, but a knee injury, sadly, cut it short. The Patriots’ left tackle looked increasingly comfortable as the season went on, holding his own against some of the NFL‘s top pass rushers and giving New England reason to believe it had found a long-term answer on the edge of the offensive line.

That progress stalled in Week 12 when Campbell suffered a torn knee ligament. The injury landed him on injured reserve and sidelined him for four games.

It was a rough setback for a young player who had been building confidence and finding his footing. But, he could thrive in 2026.

Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report thinks this could be a breakout year for Campbell. He names Campbell the team’s second-year player most likely to break out in 2026.

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“Lost time due to injury and playoff struggles from the No. 4 overall pick might have some around the Patriots already feeling discouraged about Campbell’s ability to become a pillar left tackle for a contender,” he says in the piece. “With the team using a first-round pick on Caleb Lomu this spring, Campbell’s evolution in Year 2 will likely have a massive impact on how this line looks for years to come.”

My Take: Will Campbell Has Shown the Ability to Come Back From Adversity

Even after injury, Campbell’s season wasn’t over. He returned for the regular-season finale and was also available during the Patriots’ playoff run, giving him an opportunity to finish the year on the field. That return alone was an encouraging sign heading into the offseason.

So, Campbell’s rookie campaign was something of a mixed bag. There were plenty of signs of growth and feel-good moments. But, then, there was the injury.

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Now, with the 2026 season approaching, Campbell enters his second year with real experience under his belt. He’ll have had an entire offseason to recover, refine his game and settle further into the NFL. The Patriots are counting on him to build on the progress he showed as a rookie. If he does, New England’s offensive line could be in much better shape heading into the season.

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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 12:33 PM.