Despite a dominant Super Bowl run, New England’s refusal to upgrade Drake Maye’s blindside protection has league executives fearing for the young star's safety and success.
Former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye had a breakout season in 2025, leading the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance in his second year in the league.
The UNC standout threw for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season. He added 450 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Maye and the Patriots are looking to take the next step in the upcoming season and win the Super Bowl. But the roster has a significant issue that could keep New England from making a deep playoff run.
Will Campbell had a disastrous performance in the Super Bowl. It was so bad that head coach Mike Vrabel had to tell inquisitive reporters days after the loss that the Patriots intended to keep him at the position.
Based on their offseason moves, the Patriots stuck to their word, trusting Campbell to play much better in Year 2.
An NFL personnel executive told Jason La Canfora that keeping Campbell at left tackle is a mistake, and Maye could be the one who pays the price.
“They needed to replace the left tackle,” the exec said. “Drake Maye got hit too much. I don’t think they have enough talent on the OL (offensive line) and DL (defensive line) to do what they did last year.”
Another general manager argued that Maye "is going to be under a lot of pressure" during the upcoming season.
Vrabel has Campbell's back and does not plan to move the OL inside, where some scouts felt he was a more natural fit before going in the first round of the 2025 draft.
"You sign up to play left tackle, you sign up to play corner, you sign up to play quarterback, you sign up to be the head coach, you get judged, you get scrutinized. Will's 22 years old. He's our left tackle," Vrabel said, via CBS News.
"He'll get better, he'll get stronger. Moments where he played well, moments where he blocked a guy. There are plays he'd like to have back. We're not moving Will to guard, or to center, or to tight end, or to anywhere else. I don't know what to tell you."
If Campbell gets off to a slow start, the Patriots might want to reconsider his position.
New England helped Maye this offseason by adding receiver talent, and may again if they trade for AJ Brown, but if the quarterback is constantly under duress from his blindside, those additions will be moot.