New England Patriots
“I feel like he has a lot of pressure to be the greatest tackle of all time right now.”
Will Campbell is looking to take a major step forward in 2026. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)
August 5, 2026 | 2:41 PM
4 minutes to read
FOXBOROUGH — This might be Dre’Mont Jones’ first season in New England.
But the 29-year-old veteran has already had plenty of experience going up against Patriots left tackle Will Campbell.
Last season, Jones took on Campbell as a member of the Titans — with the hard-nosed edge rusher tasked with trying to slip past the rookie tackle in order to dole out some punishment against Drake Maye.
Jones and Campbell now share the same locker room. But the duo have already exchanged plenty of pleasantries out on the gridiron during New England’s training camp — with the 281-pound Jones and 319-pound Campbell scrapping in several 1-on-1 bouts now that the pads are on.
Campbell has looked strong so far during camp, with Jones standing as one of the few players who have beaten the 22-year-old offensive lineman clean so far during camp.
But even with that notch on his belt, Jones was quick to credit Campbell while speaking with the media — acknowledging that New England’s left tackle is a far tougher matchup than what he was just a season ago.
“He’s definitely a lot more stout,” Jones said when asked about the difference he’s seen in Campbell so far this season. “He’s not as easy to push back, I guess. I mean, not to say, like, he was easy before I started putting a lot of effort, but he’s definitely become smarter, more patient with his hands.
“He stays square a lot more. Will’s so young, and I feel like he has a lot of pressure to be the greatest tackle of all time right now. I think he’s a really good tackle for going into year two. He’s not even into year two yet. … At the end of the day, Will’s a hell of a player. Being out there every day, competing against him, it makes me better. I hope I’m making him better.”
A second-year leap would be a welcome sight for Campbell, Maye, and a Patriots offense that regressed during last year’s run to Super Bowl LX.
Campbell — who was still recovering from a torn MCL last winter — labored against some elite pass-rushing corps during the 2025 postseason, culminating in a tough showing against the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX where Next Gen Stats marked him down for 14 pressures against Seattle.
Despite that tough ending, Campbell’s rookie season was still rife with several encouraging performances — with the LSU product regularly echoing plenty of confidence this summer in his ability to put last year’s poor ending in the rearview mirror.
“I feel good. My body feels good,” Campbell said on Monday. “I’m just trying to be consistent as I possibly can be every single day and get better. And find something that I might not being doing well out at practice and try to attack that the next day.
“Getting some great opportunities to go against really good guys. Dre’[Mont Jones] is a guy I played in a game and he’s a really good player. It’s good work for both of us because we’re familiar with each other. It’s kind of like a little chess match out there. So, it’s been fun and I’m excited to keep going.”
Maye may not be the one scrapping with Campbell during drills in training camp. But the Patriots quarterback has also been impressed with how Campbell has taken everything in stride over the past year, and how prepared he is going into his second full year in the pro ranks.
“He just gets it, man,” Maye said of Campbell on Thursday. “I think he gets how to practice, having to come here and show up every day because there are no days off. In practice and in this league, when you’re blocking guys in one-on-ones, and you’ve got team next, and then we have two-minute. It’s constant, and I think that’s what Will is understanding – how it’s different from college.
“It’s constant, and you’ve got to train your body and train your mind to be out here each and every day, and treat it like, “Man, I’ve got to try to get better today.” I think he’s learned that really fast, and I think he’s taking it head on, and I’m looking forward to seeing him this year do his thing.”
Campbell’s true fortitude as an elite pass protector and guardian of Maye’s blind side won’t truly be tested until the regular season commences on September 9 in Seattle.
But so far, New England’s offensive personnel like what they see from a young player with a hefty chip on his shoulder going into the 2026 campaign.
“He makes my job really easy,” Patriots guard Alijah Vera-Tucker said of Campbell last week. “He’s very smart. I can see him making that very big two-year jump. I only say that because he is a competitor and I know what kind of talent he has.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
