Will Campbell not using knee injury as excuse for Super Bowl performance

Santa Clara, CA - February 8: New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell walks off the field after the game. The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks played in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

Rookie left tackle Will Campbell knows his Super Bowl performance was not his best.

After a positive rookie season, Campbell did not look the same throughout the Patriots' playoff run. Some of that had to do with the MCL injury he suffered back in Week 12 that sidelined him for five games before he returned in Week 18.

It obviously wasn't 100 percent," Campbell said Tuesday during locker room cleanout. I mean, I don't think when you tear a ligament in your knee, it's not going to be how it was before, but I was healthy enough to go. I'm not going to say that it held me back, but yeah, it wasn't the same as it was before, obviously. But I was good."

The struggles continued in Sunday's loss to Seattle as Campbell had an outing that he described as terrible" based on his re-watch. Campbell struggled against an aggressive Seahawks' front allowing a sack and several pressures (14 per Next Gen Stats, 8 per Pro Football Focus).

Campbell did not use his injury as an excuse and understood the criticism that came from his performance.

I mean, it comes with the job when you don't perform," Campbell said. Obviously, I was picked high, paid a lot, so people expect a certain thing, and I expect more myself. So whenever I don't perform, I don't expect everyone to be like, It's okay, buddy.' I mean, obviously it sucks, but it doesn't suck for anyone more than it sucks for me."

While Campbell's season ended on a sour note, the rookie had plenty of positive flashes throughout the year. Many of his teammates spoke positively about the flashes he showed, including veteran right tackle Morgan Moses sharing he's never seen a rookie tackle do things Campbell did this season.

But through all the ups and downs, Campbell knows there is improvements to make.

I don't think one performance defines a season. I think I did some good things this year," he said. Obviously, there's room for growth in every aspect of my game. I'm 22 years old. I have a lot of room for growth in every aspect as a player, as a leader; whether that's strength and conditioning, pass protection, run blocking, whatever it might be. I have growth everywhere. I'm young. I'm learning."