Will Campbell, Patriots Agree to 4-Year, $43.7M Rookie Contract After 2025 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots added a blindside protector for second-year quarterback Drake Maye in the 2025 NFL draft and locked him up for the next four years.

The Patriots signed 2025 No. 4 pick Will Campbell to a four-year, $43.7 million contract on Tuesday. The former LSU stalwart offensive tackle is projected to be New England's starting left tackle this season and beyond.

Campbell was considered one of the safest picks in this year's draft class. As a three-year starter and two-time captain for the Tigers, he started 31 games at left tackle and showed the ability to excel in both run blocking and pass protection.

The Patriots are ushering in a new era after hiring Mike Vrabel as head coach to replace Jerod Mayo, who was fired after just one year on the job due to the team's second straight 4-13 finish. Vrabel, a former linebacker who spent most of his playing career in New England and the former head coach of the Tennessee Titans, sent a message by making Campbell the first draft pick of his tenure that protecting Maye will be paramount to the Patriots' success going forward.

Maye had a solid rookie season in which he was selected to the Pro Bowl as an alternate after throwing for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 421 rushing yards and two more scores. However, he was sacked 34 times and led the league with six lost fumbles. New England is hoping that Campbell's presence will help rectify that.

"I'm going to fight and die to protect him with everything I've got," Campbell said of Maye after he was drafted.

That attitude will be welcomed by Patriots fans who are hoping to see the team return to prominence, and Tuesday's deal solidifies Campbell as a big part of their future.