ESPN Analyst Poses Will Campbell Question Before Patriots' 2026 Season

New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell

ESPN Analyst Poses Will Campbell Question Before Patriots' 2026 Season originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Will Campbell looks to bounce back from a difficult postseason that has raised conversation about his future position.

The New England Patriots used last year's No. 4 pick on Campbell to protect Drake Maye's blindside, but observers are already wondering if he'll stick at left tackle. ESPN's Ben Solak raised concerns in a column analyzing "big questions" about some of the NFL's top second-year players.

"I really don't think he does," Solak said of Campbell staying at left tackle.

Solak believes the conversation has become more prevalent since the Patriots drafted Caleb Lomu with the No. 28 pick last month. Patriots EVP of player personnel Eliot Wolf already said Campbell will remain the starting left tackle, but New England now has a contingency play.

"The Patriots knew they were inviting this speculation when they drafted rookie tackle Caleb Lomu in the first round of the 2026 draft," Solak claimed. "Lomu is a left tackle. He is built like one and moves like one. He never played a position other than left tackle at Utah. The moment any team drafts a first-rounder at such a precise position, the league and fanbase will wonder about the incumbent starter's job security."

Solak nevertheless understood why the Patriots took Lomu, noting that incumbent right tackle Morgan Moses is 35 with no guaranteed money in his contract beyond the 2026 season. He also pointed out that Campbell had a solid regular season before struggling mightily in the playoffs while dealing with a Grade 3 MCL sprain.

However, Solak added that Campbell also had "worrisome games" during the regular season against the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. He highlighted the former LSU star's higher sack rate allowed to edge rushers with longer arms, but Solak thinks Campbell can overcome recent setbacks.

"Campbell's arm length has always been a problem, but it is manageable," Solak said. "The simplest explanation is that Campbell was an injured rookie playing in the Super Bowl, took his lumps and will be all the better for it. He'll return this season healthier and with a better understanding of how NFL rushers will try to expose his short arms. As his technique improves, it'll become easier to forget his size disadvantage."

Solak still doesn't see talk of a position change going away anytime soon.

"Whenever Campbell has a bad game -- and all left tackles not named Trent Williams do -- someone, somewhere will ask if it's time to see Lomu," Solak predicted. "The Patriots drafted the escape hatch, and now it waits in the corner with big red letters on the front: in case of emergency."

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