Patriots fans have reason to panic about Will Campbell coming into AFC title game vs. Broncos

Everything about the New England Patriots’ 2025 resurgence has felt improbably perfect. That said, even dream seasons can meet uncomfortable realities. A last-place team one year ago is now 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 belief across the organization. And yet, there is a growing, unavoidable sense of unease centered on one position and a particular player.

Rookie left tackle Will Campbell has been a foundational piece of the Patriots’ turnaround. However, his recent postseason tape has ignited real concern. Against a Denver Broncos defense built to punish even minor protection flaws, Patriots fans have legitimate reason to worry that the blindside could become the story of Sunday night.

Stunning turnaround

The Patriots’ 2025 regular season was nothing short of a revelation. Under head coach Mike Vrabel, New England vaulted from 4-13 to 14-3. They captured the AFC East and the conference’s No. 2 seed. The most striking transformation came on offense. That’s where the Patriots finished first in the NFL in EPA per play after ranking near the bottom of the league a year earlier.

At the center of that leap was quarterback Drake Maye. He authored one of the most impressive sophomore campaigns in recent memory. Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, earning All-Pro honors. He commanded an offense 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. These restored the franchise’s long-standing identity of balance and discipline.

Momentum into January

That regular-season dominance translated seamlessly into the playoffs. New England dispatched the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round with a methodical, mistake-free performance. They followed it up with a convincing 28-16 Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. In both games, Maye looked composed, the defense suffocating, and the coaching advantage unmistakable.

Yet beneath the surface, there was a subtle shift. The offensive line, which was so steady for much of the season, began to show stress. That’s particularly true on the left edge. Campbell, returning from a mid-season MCL sprain, was no longer the set-it-and-forget-it solution he appeared to be before the injury. Now, that concern is magnified exponentially as the Patriots head to Denver for the AFC title game on January 25, 2026.

AFC Championship challenge

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

For New England, the entire game plan hinges on one priority: keeping Maye upright. Denver’s edge rush, led by Nik Bonitto, is relentless and explosive. It has been perfectly suited to attack linemen who lack full mobility or ideal length. Sure, the Broncos will be forced...