FOXBOROUGH – Myles Garrett makes his living blowing up offenses, and making life hell for opposing quarterbacks.
While dealing with Garrett and the Cleveland Browns top-ranked defense will serve as a big test for Drake Maye and the Patriots offense, there’s another intriguing subplot on tap today at Gillette Stadium.
Will Campbell’s duel with Garrett should be fascinating to watch and an important measuring stick for the rookie tackle.
With the Patriots rookie be able to the league’s best and most disruptive pass rusher, and limit the damage inflicted by Garrett?
Speaking with Patriots Hall of Fame left tackle Matt Light, who met Campbell earlier in the year, he didn’t sound the least bit worried or panicked about the kid’s chances in the upcoming bout.
Tom Brady’s former blindside protector believes Campbell will be up for the challenge.
Light loves the No. 4 overall pick’s make-up and how he’s wired. He has a feeling Campbell double-circled the date for the matchup on the calendar given the stakes.
“There’s something special about going up against a Dwight Freeney, a Myles Garrett, a Jason Taylor. Whoever it may be,” Light said, speaking with MassLive during the week. “When you go against the best, it forces you to dig deep and do everything right leading up to it.
“I bet you this much: Will is as focused this week as he’s ever been. I bet you he’s put in a lot of hours in the film room. I’ll bet he’s gone hard at practice. I bet he’s earning the right to go out and play a good game this week.”
Campbell has already gone up against some pretty tough customers the first seven weeks of the season. He’s crossed paths with Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt and Saints edge rusher Cameron Jordan.
For the most part, the rookie has held his own. Campbell is ranked in the middle of the pack in many of the important statistical categories, and that’s a welcome change from years past.
Garrett, however, is in a different stratosphere from the rest. He’s in a class all by himself. And Maye’s blindside protector is well aware of what he’s up against, and the consequences should he not hold up his end of the bargain.
”He does some stuff that a lot of people can’t do,” Campbell said of Garrett, speaking with reporters at his locker Wednesday. “He’s a great player.”
Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz isn’t afraid to move Garrett across the line, so Campbell won’t see him exclusively, unless of course the rookie turns into easy prey for the star pass rusher.
Light views the matchup as a potential confidence booster for the young lineman, assuming Campbell doesn’t get embarrassed.
“If he can, and if he does, and I think he probably will, that’s going to be a huge step in his progression and his journey through this rookie season,” Light said regarding Campbell’s duel with Garrett.
“Any time you can build some confidence in a game like that, it serves you really well.”
Garrett currently has the third-best pass-rush grade among edge defenders. That’s not too shabby given he’s been double-teamed 61 percent of the time, according to Pro Football Focus.
In seven games, he has five sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and 27 pressures.
It’s unrealistic to expect Campbell to completely eliminate the threat of Garrett. He just has to limit the damage, and do his best to keep Maye out of harm’s way.
It’s likely the Patriots will provide help or add another layer of protection wherever Garrett is lined up, but Campbell will still be the main man.
Light, who is conducting a sweepstakes for two club seat tickets (takeoverintampa.com) and more to the Patriots Week 10 road game in Tampa, with proceeds benefitting his foundation, said he was amused by the whole “Campbell’s arms are too short” dialogue ahead of the Patriots taking the tackle fourth overall in the 2025 draft.
“It really is wild to me. I guess it was a fun talking point. I definitely don’t have long arms, either,” Light said. “But I can tell you one thing. It’s not the length. It’s how you use it.”
From what the three-time Super Bowl winner has seen, Campbell is very good at taking advantage of his assets, and utilizing his strengths.
“He’s got a really solid lower body. Technically, he’s solid,” Light said. “His pass sets, the way he only gives the rushers one way to go, the way he uses his hands, his footwork, he’s very technically sound.”
Light also enjoys seeing the mean streak in Campbell, finishing off blocks to the end, and sometimes beyond. Every offensive line needs to have that kind of presence.
“I’ve always been someone who’s liked offensive linemen who are aggressive, who take the fight to the other team, and don’t back down from anything,” Light said. “If you’re a tough-minded dude, and don’t mind getting in there and giving a little extra, and sending a clear message, people like that fuel the offense … and I think Will is wired that way. It’s personal for him.”
Garrett is the next challenge. How Campbell fares against the perennial All-Pro will have a huge stake in how the Patriots fare against the Browns.
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