Patriots
“It’s a complete honor and privilege to represent this organization.”
The Patriots elected to protect their young quarterback by drafting tackle Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick on Thursday night.
The 21-year-old Campbell spoke highly of his new teammate, Drake Maye, when he was introduced at Gillette Stadium for the first time Friday afternoon.
“Yeah, I mean, that’s my quarterback,” Campbell said when asked if he’d spoken with Maye since being drafted. “So, I’m just super excited to continue to build the relationship with him, get to know each other as people. It’s something I’m looking forward to.
“I’m a quarterback guy. I care about him a lot off the field and on the field. We were able to talk. … We just talked for a little bit … It was short and sweet, but that relationship will continue to grow more as I’m up here.”
Campbell will have high expectations in terms of taking care of Maye in his rookie season. New England’s carousel of poor offensive line play at all five positions last season made it difficult for the team to succeed.
Campbell can’t play each position at once, but the hope is that he will help anchor the line, presumably at left tackle.
He isn’t concerned with his new team’s recent track record of losing seasons, though. Campbell spoke about how he feels lucky to play for a storied franchise like the Patriots.
“I think the biggest thing for me was I wanted to play for an organization that had history, that cared, that wants to win,” he said. “That’s the thing for me. I want to come in and I want to win, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
“The proof is in the pudding with this place, and that’s something that I want to be a part of,” Campbell continued. “So, for me to be able to represent this organization, wear that logo on the side of my helmet and on the front of my jersey, it’s everything I could ever ask for.”
He explained what he thinks it will take to help get New England back to its winning ways. Coming off a 4-13 finish last year, Campbell made it clear what his vision is for the team.
“Culture is everything. Culture wins you games,” he said. “That goes for any stage of any sport, whether it be high school, college, NFL. That’s what’s going to set you up for success in the long run because whenever you have that bond, the trust in the guy next to you and that relationship, you’re willing to do whatever to make sure that you succeed and not let the guy next to you down.
“I want everybody on the field to know that I’m going to give them everything I have. I want them to have full trust in me that I’m going to execute my job, and let’s just go win some games.”
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