As the New England Patriots entered the practice field last week to prepare for the Super Bowl, Jared Wilson took a look at rookie Will Campbell.
It was a surreal moment for the two linemen because just a year ago, they were training together for the NFL Draft.
advertise
“I always mention to him that when we’re practicing or whatever, I’ll say, ‘Man, we were in the pre-draft together. Now we’re training for the Super Bowl,’ and we just sit there and smile,” Wilson said. “Honestly, I don’t have the words to describe how it all went down.”
After both tight ends finished their junior seasons in the SEC, Campbell and Wilson prepared for the draft together. Wilson’s first impression of the Louisiana-born Campbell was that he spoke slowly.
The relationship really began to develop when the two were selected by the Patriots in the 2025 draft. Campbell went fourth overall as New England looked for a sudden protector of quarterback Derek Meyer. Wilson was drafted in the third round shortly after, and it wasn’t long before the former college center was inserted into the starting lineup next to Campbell during training camp.
Since then, the two have started 14 games together as rookies on the Patriots’ offensive line.
advertise
“You just grow together,” Campbell said. “When you have two rookies sitting together and learning how to play — especially both of us, he played two years at center next to the same left guard at Georgia and I played next to the same left guard my entire college career at LSU. So, give each other the floor early on and grow on and off the court.”
The duo will make their 15th start on Sunday in Super Bowl LX. In doing so, they will become the first pair of rookies to start a Super Bowl game on the same offensive line.
“They’re talented. I think they work hard. I think they’re trying to get better every week,” head coach Mike Vrabel said. “There’s been some tough games in this league. They’ve had some really good performances. They’ve had some performances that they want to come back from. But they’ve been out there for the most part, practicing, improving, working together.
“Being a rookie player on the left side, we never really thought about that. I didn’t really think about it too much. I talk about maturity. Maturity is based on experience, not age. They’ve had a lot of experience here all year. They’ve both missed a couple games, but they’ve been there for the most part.”
advertise
Campbell and Wilson will be put to the test against Seattle, where Mike McDonald’s defense generates pressure at one of the highest rates in the league despite rarely blitzing.
This will put the chemistry the two have built over the past year to the test. They are confident in this chemistry and hope to continue building it in the years to come.
“It’s growing really fast,” Wilson said. “Like I said before, I think the most important thing in everything is communication, and if you can continue to do that through the good and the ugly times, you’re going to be good.
“I love playing next to him,” Campbell added, “and I’m looking forward to playing next to him for a while.”
