Patriots' Will Campbell says knee strength restored

New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell said Tuesday that his knee has returned to full strength as he enters his second NFL season. Campbell explained that he rehabilitated a regular-season ligament tear without surgery and focused on rebuilding strength over the spring. He spoke at the team facility, noting that the plan centered on steady physical therapy to regain his pre-injury level.

Campbell’s disclosure followed the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks, a game in which he allowed 14 pressures on quarterback Drake Maye. He did not address the media immediately after the game, later saying he was emotional about his performance. When he did speak, he confirmed the in-season tear and said the issue had contributed to his struggles during the playoff run.

The tackle said he prioritized recovery once the season ended, emphasizing consistency and conditioning to stabilize the joint and restore power. He aimed to return to the baseline he showed for most of his rookie year, when his regular-season play helped quiet pre-draft questions about his fit at left tackle.

Campbell added that he worked closely with coaches to assess his year one tape, identify strengths and weaknesses, and structure a routine to address both. He said he did physical therapy five days a week through the offseason until players reconvened, with the goal of getting his knee “back to where it was previously.”

Non-surgical rehab and offseason workload

Campbell opted for rehabilitation rather than an operation after the regular-season diagnosis. He said the approach allowed him to keep training while managing the injury and progressively add lower-body work as the knee responded. The emphasis was on strengthening and durability rather than rushing back to full workloads.

He described a steady cadence of treatment and training, including near-daily PT, as central to the plan. Campbell said that regimen rebuilt confidence in the joint and helped him reestablish the base he relied on during the regular season.

What it means for the Patriots’ line

Campbell’s return to full strength is significant for New England’s protection plans. Questions about his ability to anchor the left side followed him into the draft, but his regular-season performance largely eased those concerns. Coaches and player alike are hopeful that the playoff dip — capped by the Super Bowl — reflected an unaddressed injury rather than a gap exposed by stiffer opposition after a comparatively light regular-season slate.

Stabilizing the left tackle spot remains critical as the Patriots look to protect Maye and establish continuity up front. Campbell said he expects the offseason work to carry into camp and the new season, with the aim of replicating his early-career form over a longer stretch.

The Patriots will monitor Campbell’s workload through the preseason, with attention on durability and consistency as the schedule approaches. His health and performance on the edge figure to be early indicators for an offense built to develop a young quarterback.