EAGEN, Minn. — Patriots outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson went out of his way Wednesday to defend the play of rookie left tackle Will Campbell through three weeks of training camp.
Campbell has not been perfect in camp. He’s lost 1-on-1s and let up would-be sacks in 11-on-11 drills, but Chaisson, a fellow LSU alum, has been impressed.
“Will’s been doing a great job, for sure. There’s this weird note that’s kind of going around about Will’s kind of having like an up-and-down camp, but Will’s doing a great job, man,” Chaisson said. “It’s tough when you get to go get somebody every single day, you know I’m saying? So whether you kind of — you know their moves or not, but it’s still somebody that’s willing to go get you every single day and give you a battle. That’s what we kind of need as a team. So we’re making each other better, for sure.”
Chaisson seemed especially impressed by Campbell in Friday’s preseason opener against the Commanders.
Campbell earned an 85.4 overall PFF grade for his preseason debut — the fourth-highest mark out of 97 rookie offensive linemen. PFF didn’t chart Campbell with any pressures allowed, though he was involved with fellow rookie Jared Wilson on a sack when the Commanders broke free on a stunt.
“I think he’s doing a great job,” Chaisson said. “I mean, I feel like we all watched the game last week and he responded pretty well, and he’s been handling business. So I don’t think Will is having a problem. I think Will is doing a great job in camp. We’re both giving each other great work out there. I’m getting good looks, and I’m trying to give him great looks. So that’s the ultimate goal, man. Honestly, I want to be the best player that he ever goes against. So whenever he plays on Thursdays, Mondays or Sundays, it’s easy for him.”
Originally Published: August 13, 2025 at 6:31 PM EDT