“Just take some time off. Time is the best healer. I definitely just need time off,” Maye said Tuesday. “There’s nothing I need to do. Just some time off and time to rest and time away from football.”
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The Patriots returned to the team facility to meet with the coaching staff and pack up their lockers before heading out for the offseason.
Despite the long playoff run, Maye said he doesn’t think he put extra stress on this arm this season.
“I think it’s a case of having a hit in the AFC championship game that was unfortunate,” Maye said. “In an unfortunate moment, the two weeks (before the Super Bowl) were great to have the opportunity to be there for my guys. You can’t blame the injuries. Things happen like that all the time in the league… You can’t (blame) one little thing, the shoulder… I felt like I could make shots in the game and that I was myself.”
Maye threw two touchdown passes but was sacked six times, had two interceptions and lost a fumble that Seattle converted into another touchdown in New England’s 29-13 loss.
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Campbell tore his knee ligament late in the season
Patriots left tackle Will Campbell revealed Tuesday that a torn ligament in his knee sent him to injured reserve for four games at the end of the regular season.
Campbell had a disastrous performance in the Super Bowl, allowing a pair of sacks on Maye as the Seahawks sent several blitzes to his side of the line. According to Next Gen Stats, Campbell allowed 14 pressures, the most allowed by any NFL player in a game this season.
“Obviously it wasn’t 100%,” Campbell told reporters. “I mean, I don’t think when you tear a ligament in your knee, it’s not going to be like before, but I was healthy enough to go. I’m not going to say it stopped me, but it wasn’t the same as before, obviously.”
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Campbell was carted off the field in the second half of the Patriots’ 26-20 win at Cincinnati in Week 12. That ended the fourth overall pick in the 2025 draft’s streak of 12 consecutive starts as Maye’s blindside protector. But he started the final game of the season and all four playoff games.
He said he understands the criticism he received for his Super Bowl performance.
“When you don’t perform, it comes with the job,” Campbell said. “Obviously, I was picked high and paid a lot, so people expect a certain thing and I expect more,” he said. “So every time I don’t perform… it obviously sucks, but it doesn’t suck for anyone any more than it sucks for me.”
Vrabel said he is confident Campbell will grow from this season and does not plan to move him to another position.
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“He’s 22 years old. He’s our left tackle. He’s going to get better. He’s going to get stronger,” Vrabel said. “We’re not moving Will to guard, center, tight end or anywhere else.”
Maye, who has developed a close friendship with Campbell off the field, said he believes his future is bright.
“I think he’s had to deal a lot with the expectations of a first-round pick this year,” Maye said. “It’s going to be great for him in the future. He’s going to be a great player in this league, he’s already a great player in this league… I love Will. I hope to play with him for a long time.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL