Three days after being mauled by Myles Garrett, Will Campbell was back on the practice field before sunrise. No cameras, no interviews — just the rhythmic thud of pads as the rookie offensive tackle worked through hand-placement drills on his own.
“I had to get back to it,” Campbell said. “You can’t let one game define you. You’ve got to respond.”
The New England Patriots’ young lineman, humbled but unbroken, is using his rough night against the Cleveland Browns’ All-Pro pass rusher as a turning point — not a scar. The experience, painful as it was, has already started to reshape how he views the game and himself.
Lessons From a Nightmare
Campbell’s matchup with Garrett was one-sided, brutally so. The rookie was overpowered on multiple plays, giving up two sacks and several quarterback hits. For a player once hailed as “NFL-ready,” it was a rude awakening.
“Sometimes you need to get punched in the mouth to know where you stand,” Campbell said. “That was my punch.”
Offensive line coach Adrian Klemm said Campbell handled the aftermath like a pro. “He didn’t sulk,” Klemm said. “He came in Monday with his notebook open. He wanted to dissect every rep, every mistake. That’s what you want to see.”
Veterans in the locker room rallied behind the rookie, reminding him that even the greats had nights they’d rather forget. “My first year, I gave up three sacks in one game,” center David Andrews recalled. “It’s part of the process. You either crumble or you come back stronger.”
Studying the Monster
What stood out most to teammates wasn’t the loss itself, but how Campbell reacted to it. He spent hours rewatching tape, pausing on Garrett’s moves — the subtle shoulder dips, the timing of his spin, the deceptive angles. “He’s not just an athlete,” Campbell said of Garrett. “He’s a student of leverage. He knows how to use every inch of your balance against you.”
To counter that, Campbell started refining his own approach. “I’ve been working on staying lighter on my feet, keeping my hands inside,” he said. “You can’t stop a guy like that by being stubborn. You’ve got to evolve.”
The Patriots staff has noticed the change. “He’s asking better questions, playing with better pad level,” Klemm said. “That tells you he’s processing.”
Emotional Reset
Mentally, the rookie has found support from veterans who’ve endured similar trials. “We told him — don’t let pride get in the way of growth,” said guard Mike Onwenu. “You’re going to lose reps in this league. It’s how you bounce back that matters.”
Campbell has also leaned on quarterback Drake Maye, who spent much of the Browns game under duress but never pointed fingers. “We’re in this together,” Maye said. “He’s got my back, and I’ve got his.”
Behind the scenes, Campbell has been quieter, more focused. Coaches say he’s spending extra time in the film room, often sitting next to Klemm long after most players have left. “He wants to master the details,” Klemm said. “That’s how you turn failure into fuel.”
The Turning Point
Sunday’s upcoming matchup against the Indianapolis Colts may not feature a Myles Garrett-level threat, but it’s still significant. For Campbell, it’s a test of composure — proof that his confidence remains intact.
“I just want to play clean football,” he said. “No panic, no wasted motion. Just trust my technique.”
Teammates believe he’ll deliver. “He’s built different,” said Andrews. “You can tell by how he carries himself. He’s not chasing revenge — he’s chasing progress.”
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo echoed that optimism. “You find out who people really are after games like that,” Mayo said. “Will’s response has been exactly what you’d hope for. He’s embraced accountability. That’s how leaders are made.”
Garrett’s Impact Beyond the Field
Ironically, Myles Garrett may have done Campbell a favor. Facing a player of that caliber this early in his career set a new benchmark. “Now he knows the standard,” Klemm said. “If you can survive a night like that and come back stronger, you’ll last in this league.”
Even Garrett himself offered encouraging words postgame. “He’s got talent,” Garrett said. “I told him, ‘Don’t lose your confidence. Everyone takes their lumps.’ He’ll be fine.”
For Campbell, that brief exchange stuck. “It meant something,” he admitted. “He didn’t have to say that. But it reminded me — every vet was once the rookie getting schooled.”
Building the Future
The Patriots’ offensive line is in transition, and Campbell’s development could shape its future. New England drafted him to be a cornerstone — not just a protector, but a tone-setter. “He’s got the tools to be elite,” Klemm said. “Now he’s learning the mindset.”
Campbell’s long-term goals remain unchanged. “I want to be that guy other players study one day,” he said. “I know it’ll take years, but this is where it starts — in the rough moments.”
As the week closed, Campbell’s voice carried no bitterness, only resolve. “I’ll see Myles again,” he said, a hint of a smile forming. “And next time, I’ll be ready.”
The nightmare that began in Cleveland might just become the foundation of something special — a young player’s awakening to the relentless, humbling grind of the NFL.
Every great lineman has that one game that breaks them open. For Will Campbell, the scars from Myles Garrett’s dominance aren’t marks of failure — they’re blueprints for greatness.
