Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Lane Johnson just dropped some serious insight about Patriots’ second-year tackle Will Campbell, telling reporters after a joint practice that Campbell “kind of reminds me of myself in a way.” That’s high praise from a future Hall of Famer and a guy who knows a thing or two about being a top-tier offensive tackle, not to mention a fourth overall pick in the draft. It’s a huge endorsement for Campbell as he pushes to build on a challenging rookie season.
Campbell’s Offseason Grind Gets a Stamp of Approval
The connection between these two tackles wasn’t by chance. Campbell spent some serious time with Johnson during the offseason, soaking up knowledge from one of the best. Johnson, the fourth overall selection in his own draft, clearly liked what he saw in the 2025 fourth overall pick. Johnson pointed out, “Just a country kid, drafted in the first round.” He’s familiar with “the kind of pressures that are on guys like that.” Johnson watched Campbell closely during their joint practice and noticed the young Patriot looks “thicker and bigger,” and importantly, “he’s healed up from his knee injury.”
Campbell’s rookie year was a tough one, marked by initial promise as a Day 1 starter protecting quarterback Drake Maye’s blindside, but then derailed by a torn MCL in November. He did return for the Patriots’ playoff run, but he wasn’t himself. So, his first full offseason was all about recovery and development, undergoing therapy five days a week while also trying to put that disappointing finish behind him. Johnson’s invitation to work out in Dallas was a major opportunity. “We just got it off the ground two months ago and invited some guys. He was one of the guys that showed up,” Johnson explained. They worked out, did “football stuff,” but mostly spent time “just talking ball and stuff off the field.”
Learning from the League’s Best
Campbell understands the weight of these opportunities. He knows when you’re around guys like Johnson, Triston Wirfs, and Dion Dawkins, you listen up. “If they say something, they’ve all played almost 10 years plus, and all of them were All-Pro at some point, they know what they’re talking about,” Campbell said. That’s a smart mindset for a young player still finding his footing. These aren’t just good players; they are the standard.
If Johnson’s assessment is on point, and there’s absolutely no reason to doubt him, then Campbell and the Patriots have every reason to feel good about his development. He’s putting in the work, learning from the best, and getting healthier. That’s a recipe for a strong sophomore season in 2026.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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