The Patriots Offensive Line Was Awful

By Steve Atkinson 

What happened to “I’m gonna fight and die for my quarterback?” That’s what Will Campbell said the night he was drafted 4th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Well, in the biggest game of the season, the Super Bowl, he allowed 18 rushes, the most since 2018. Campbell and the rest of the offensive line were destroyed all game, so much so that Drake Maye didn’t even have time to throw or do anything with a bad shoulder. You’d think they would’ve protected him better against that Seattle defense, but nope, the offensive line got exposed against an elite defense.

Drake Maye’s Injury Didn’t Help On Sunday

The offense hasn’t been good all postseason, which tells me Drake Maye has been hurt all postseason. I think he aggravated his shoulder in the AFC Championship game, and with Stidham in as quarterback, it didn’t matter how the offensive line played. But against Seattle, the defense was too good for the Patriots’ offensive line. The Patriots’ defense almost picked off Sam Darnold a few times. Conversely, Darnold wasn’t good either. Darnold joins the class of Trent Dilfer and Nick Foles to win a Super Bowl. Congratulations. He didn’t even win MVP.

Here was Mike Vrabel after the game.

That I’m proud of everything they did,” Vrabel said. “I’m disappointed, just like they are. I reminded them that we’re 307 days into what hopefully is a long, successful relationship and program. It’s OK to be disappointed. We have to be disappointed and upset together. Like I always do, I tell them that I’m appreciative of them. I’m thankful. I’m grateful that I get to coach them.

“Part of our identity is not being a frontrunner. Every year somebody is going to lose this game. We have to remember what it feels like and make sure that it’s not repeated

Every player talked after the game except Will Campbell. Not a good look: Drake Maye went to the podium, spoke for 16 minutes, took the hits, and put it on himself. That’s what leaders do. He mentioned got received an injection before the game and was asked

“My shoulder feels — um, they shot it up, so not much feeling,” Maye said. “Feels good to go. I felt alright.”

Offensive Line Needs To Play Better

They need to move Will Campbell over and get a left tackle in the off-season. One thing is for certain: if Bill Belichick were here, they wouldn’t have made the playoffs. Matt Patricia would be the offensive coordinator. They are in a good spot.

Drake Maye wasn’t right the entire playoffs, and that offensive line needed to do a better job protecting him, knowing that. That Seattle defense just chopped them up like they were nothing. Not talking after the game when you fight and die to protect your quarterback is a bad look.