SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Disappointed and shell-shocked, it wasn’t easy for all Patriots players to explain what went wrong.
After a remarkable journey, the team’s 2025 NFL season came to a crashing halt in Super Bowl 60 in a bitter defeat to the Seattle Seahawks. The Patriots fought hard to get to that championship stage, but lost brutally against a talented pass rush.
Drake Maye was sacked a season-high six times on Sunday night. He was hit 11 times overall. The Patriots’ offensive line had been an improvement from previous years, but the unit struggled in the biggest game of the season.
While explaining what went wrong, right guard Michael Onwenu spoke the truth about his opponent’s game plan.
“Obviously, it seemed like they were doing more on the left side,” Onwenu said. “Obviously, it’s a rookie side, stuff like that.”
He wasn’t wrong. The Seahawks defense punished the left side of the Patriots’ offensive line, targeting rookie left tackle Will Campbell and rookie left guard Jared Wilson. For the first-and third-round picks, it was a night to forget after an exciting first NFL season.
According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Campbell struggled more than most in Super Bowl 60. The No. 4 overall pick allowed a career-high 14 pressures against the Seahawks. That was the most pressure allowed by an offensive lineman in a playoff game since 2018.
That was a tough end to the left tackle’s season. Campbell stabilized the Patriots’ biggest weakness from a season ago. However, he suffered an MCL injury in Week 12 and returned in Week 17.
The performance won’t stop critics from pointing out Campbell’s shorter arm length. However, veteran right tackle Morgan Moses said he believes the rookie will stay and excel at tackle.
“I told him I’ve never seen a rookie come in and play the way he played at left tackle,” Moses said. “The sky’s the limit for him, man. He has the opportunity to look back and rest a little bit and get himself back into working out and digest everything that’s happened. But for a rookie to go out there and play left tackle all the way to the Super Bowl and do an amazing job and still have room to grow, he’s the guy.”
Campbell was beaten by Derick Hall for Maye’s first sack, but he wasn’t alone in his struggles. Wilson was beaten handily by Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills for the second sack.
The Patriots became the first team to start two rookie offensive linemen in a Super Bowl on Sunday, and it didn’t pan out for them.
Despite the outcome, veterans said they’re excited about the future with Campbell, Wilson and other young players on the Patriots roster. The hope is that there are better days ahead.
“I think for them, right now, it hurts,” Onwenu said about Campbell and Wilson. “Yeah, you know, it hurts for me too. But it’s hard to be crying, hard to be sad. Obviously, we lost the game, but, you know, looking around the locker room, looking at the guys, how we got here, you know, everyone counting us out, obviously everyone wants to see us lose.
“Unfortunately, we lost tonight, but, you know, we’ll be back and I believe that.”
