Patriots fans have reason to panic about Will Campbell in the AFC title game

Everything about New England Patriots‘ Revival in 2025 is unbelievably perfect. That means, even dreamy seasons may face an unpleasant reality. The last-place team a year ago is now just one win away from the Super Bowl. They are powered by an MVP-caliber quarterback, a revitalized defense and a first-year head coach who has restored faith in the organization. And yet, there is a growing, inevitable sense of unease centered around one position and one particular player.

Rookie left tackle Will Campbell he was a fundamental part of the Patriots’ turnaround. However, his recent postseason streak has raised real concerns. Against a Denver Broncos defenses built to punish even minor lapses in protection, Patriots fans have good reason to worry that the blind side could become the story of Sunday night.

An astonishing turnaround

The Patriots’ 2025 regular season was nothing short of a revelation. Under head coach Mike Vrabel, New England jumped out from 4-13 to 14-3. They won the AFC East and the second seed in the conference. The most impressive transformation came in the attack. There, the Patriots finished first in the NFL in EPA per game after being near the bottom of the league the year before.

At the center of that surge was quarterback Drake May. He is the author of one of the most impressive sophomore campaigns in recent memory. May threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, earning All-Pro honors. He commanded an attack that looked modern, aggressive and ruthlessly efficient. Complementing that firepower was a defense that allowed just 18.8 points per game, fourth best in the NFL. This restored the franchise’s long-standing identity of balance and discipline.

Momentum in January

That dominance in the regular season translated seamlessly into the playoffs. New England beat the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round with a methodical, error-free performance. They followed that up with a convincing 28-16 win over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. In both games, May looked composed, the defense stifled and the coaching edge was unmistakable.

Yet beneath the surface, there was a subtle shift. The offensive line, which had been so steady for most of the season, began to show stress. This is especially true on the left edge. Campbell, returning from a midseason MCL sprainit was no longer a set-it-and-forget solution to what it looked like before the injury. Now that concern is magnified exponentially as the Patriots head to Denver for the AFC title game on Jan. 25, 2026.

Challenge for the AFC Championship

The match could not be more relentless. The Patriots travel to face the top-seeded Broncos in a stadium where they have historically gone 0–4 in the postseason. Denver’s defense also led the NFL with 68 sacks in the regular season. They also showed no mercy in the Divisional Round, creating constant pressure and five breakaways.

For New England, the entire game plan hinges on one priority: keeping Mays upright. Denver’s edge rush, led by Nick Bonito, is relentless and explosive. He is perfectly suited to attack linemen who lack full mobility or ideal length. Of course, the Broncos will be forced to start Jarrett Stidham due to Bo Nix’s season-ending injury. However, that advantage quickly disappears if May is under siege.

Will Campbell is up and down

Campbell’s new campaign was a paradox. The fourth overall pick started 13 games at left tackle and looked like the long-term answer early. He even posted a 76.6 PFF grade through nine weeks while allowing just five sacks during the regular season. Teammates praised his toughness and professionalism. His presence helped stabilize the offensive line in transition.

However, everything changed in the 12th week. Then a Grade 3 MCL sprain sidelined him for more than a month. Since returning in the postseason, Campbell hasn’t looked like the same player. In two playoff games, he surrendered three sacks and nine total pressures. Among them were two strip sacks against Houston that forced him to recover his fumble to prevent turnovers. Those plays didn’t cost New England a game. Against Denver, however, similar mistakes would almost certainly happen.

The panic factor

This is not just about one bad match. It’s also about trends converging at the worst possible time.

Campbell’s footwork and anchor have been inconsistent since his return, especially against speed-to-power rushers. Against the Chargers and Texans, his short arm length was exposed multiple times when defenders won the first contact.

Keep in mind that Denver’s scheme is designed to isolate tackles in space and force them to win quickly. Bonito’s 14.0 bags are no accident. He thrives against linemen who can’t fully extend or reset after initial contact.

There’s also the Mile High factor. Fatigue and timing are important in Denver, especially late in games. If Campbell fades even a little, the pressure could snowball. That would force Vrabel to give up the deep bounce and compress the attack.

Campbell needs to be a beast in protecting Maia’s blind side. Expect New England to chip relentlessly with tight ends and running backs. That might keep Maie upright. However, it also limits route concepts and limits the explosiveness of the offense.

Thin margin for error

The Patriots can absolutely win this game. They are better coached, more balanced and face a Denver offense without its starting quarterback. On the other hand, the AFC championship will be decided in the trenches, especially on the left side. If Will Campbell settles down, New England’s storybook season can continue. If not, Patriots fans may be watching another Denver playoff nightmare. This time they will see their brightest star pay the price.

That’s why the panic is not excessive but rational. Sunday night will tell us if it was prophetic.