Will Campbell’s arms may be too short to be a long-term solution at left tackle for the New England Patriots, but he was good enough to help them reach the Super Bowl in his first year.
So when asked about the pre-draft criticism that cited his 33-inch wing span at Super Bowl Media Day on Tuesday, Campbell got the last laugh by clapping back at those who published doubts about him last year.
According to sports researcher Dan Kelley, Campbell will become third rookie left tackle to start the Super Bowl and the first since Matt Light of the 2001 Patriots. Kelley reported he’s also the first rookie left tackle to start four playoff games in single postseason.
The Patriots will, of course, take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Will Campbell Doesn’t Care to Hear About his Short Arms
Campbell, like every other Patriots player, was subjected to rounds of questioning from the throngs of reporters in San Jose.
So naturally, the question of his arm length came up Tuesday, and a clearly annoyed Campbell simply shrugged off any criticisms.
“Whenever [critics] were bringing that stuff up, it is what it is,” Campbell said. “It’s how God made me.”
The 6-6, 319-pound Campbell did enough to earn a 69.5 grade from Pro Football Focus during his rookie season. But he has struggled at points this postseason, since New England quarterback Drake Maye has been sacked a playoff-high 15 times — no other QB has been sacked more than six times in these playoffs.
Will Campbell, Patriots Will Make Super Bowl History
Campbell may be the first left tackle to start the Super Bowl in 25 years, but he and left guard Jared Wilson are about to do something no tandem of rookies has done in the 60-year history of the Super Bowl.
Campbell and Wilson will be the first rookie duo to start on the left side in the Super Bowl ever. When asked about his relationship with Wilson, Campbell had high praise for the 95th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Me and him train together, so we’ve known each other for a while now,” Campbell said. “We’re just growing with each other and just continuing to build our relationship, not only on the field but off the field.”
But the rookie duo will have its work cut out for it against Seattle’s dominant defense. The Seahawks ranked first in the NFL during the regular season in points-allowed per game (17.2) and have given up just 33 points in their two playoff games.
“They’re extremely talented, fast, physical,” Campbell said. “They’re in the Super Bowl for a reason. There’s no flaws.”
Yet, Campbell feels New England’s first three playoff opponents, the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos, have set them up for what will be the final boss.
“In the playoffs, you’re going to play the best players,” Campbell said. “We faced some really talented defenses, and we’ve got to face another one Sunday, so we’ve got to be ready to go.”
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