RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesFoxborough, MA - July 25: New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell signs autographs at training camp on July 25, 2026. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
After a run to Super Bowl 60, it was a shorter offseason for the New England Patriots. That did not stop players from attacking their offseason work before and after they returned to the facility in the spring.
For their efforts throughout organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, Mike Vrabel announced four players as the team’s offseason award winners: offensive tackle Will Campbell, center Jared Wilson, wide receiver Kyle Williams, and outside linebacker Elijah Ponder.
“It was a good showing by the second-year group,” Vrabel said during a press conference ahead of Monday’s walkthrough . “So, that is really good to see from a second-year group. We had a lot of really good efforts in there, and I thought guys made strides, but it was good to see those guys from year one to year two be able to help us establish something in the offseason.”
Last year’s first-round pick, Campbell spent the early parts of the offseason rehabbing the knee injury that cost him four games down the stretch last season.
Now healthy, the 22-year-old has impressed veteran teammates with the way he attacked the offseason.
“Just the mindset, the ability to keep working after a good year,” Morgan Moses said. “The acknowledgement and knowing that there’s always room for improvement. And I think there’s also the veteran presence in there… the mindset of just coming in every day and getting better.
“So setting that tempo and seeing how he’s eager to learn and eager to get better and take steps. I talked to him all through the offseason and things that he was doing and getting together with Lane Johnson and those guys. I try to tell them, man, anytime you can get veteran input from what you want to be and where you want to go, that’s high quality.”
Campbell was joined by fellow offensive lineman Jared Wilson, who transitioned back to his natural center position this offseason, while Kyle Williams earned recognition as the speedster bulked up over the course of the spring.
On defense, former undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder was honored as he continues to trend upwards along the edge.
“Came in, didn’t say a whole lot. He’s not a boisterous person by nature. I think he just continued to get better,” Vrabel said of Ponder’s rookie season. “His confidence probably improved. He earned a role on special teams and then continued to earn a role on defense. He just kept getting better.”
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