Patriots’ Will Campbell earns encouraging Maxx Crosby endorsement after tough debut
Despite a tough debut that left fans questioning his early performance, New England Patriots rookie Will Campbell has received a powerful vote of confidence from one of the league’s top defenders. Maxx Crosby, the star defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, praised Campbell’s potential after their matchup, offering words of encouragement that could serve as a game-changer for the young player’s career.
“I’ve seen the potential in Will,” Crosby said after the game. “He’s got what it takes to succeed at this level. It’s not easy to step onto the field as a rookie, but I see a lot of heart, determination, and talent in him. He’s only going to get better.”
Campbell, who struggled at times during his first professional game, showed resilience in the face of adversity. While the debut wasn’t perfect, Crosby’s endorsement speaks volumes about the rookie’s character and the belief that his growth is just beginning. “It’s all about learning from those tough moments and coming back stronger,” Crosby added. “The greats go through the struggles and come out on the other side better. Will is on that path.”
Campbell’s performance was closely watched, as expectations were high for the former college standout. However, despite the challenges he faced in his debut, the rookie maintained a level of poise that impressed Crosby and many others around the league.
“The kid’s got grit,” Crosby said. “It’s not about one game. It’s about how you bounce back, and I have no doubt Will is going to rise to the occasion.”
With Crosby’s endorsement ringing in his ears, Campbell is more motivated than ever to prove that he has what it takes to be a key player for the Patriots. His rookie journey may have started with struggles, but with the right mindset and support, Campbell is poised to make a powerful impact in the coming weeks and seasons.
For the Patriots, this rookie could be the future cornerstone of their defense, and with a respected veteran like Crosby backing him, Campbell’s confidence is sure to soar.
Kansas City Chiefs to Pursue Trade for Versatile WR Dontayvion Wicks Amid Injuries
The Kansas City Chiefs can spin plates better than anyone, but Week 1 made it look like Patrick Mahomes may be running out of hands.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice is serving a six-game suspension, and Kansas City lost speedy wideout Xavier Worthy indefinitely to a shoulder injury in the team’s season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Travis Kelce is still a threat, but he’s definitely past his prime.
If general manager Brett Veach doesn’t want to fall too far behind early in the season, he may want to add another playmaker for Mahomes to work with. Enter Dontayvion Wicks of the Green Bay Packers.
For the Packers, there’s a case to move him. Their room is stacked with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and first-rounder Matthew Golden. Wicks may be the odd man out even though Watson is currently on IR.
Wicks Has Shown Potential Over His 2+ NFL Seasons
Drafted by Green Bay in the fifth round of 2023, Wicks wasted no time proving he belonged, catching 39 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. That 14.9 yards per catch ranked among the best YPCs for a rookie that year, and nearly half of his grabs went for 16 yards or more, according to Packers team stats.
By Year 2, Wicks showed he wasn’t a one-hit wonder, once again finishing with 39 catches for 415 yards and five touchdowns. Across two seasons and change, he’s at 80 receptions, 1,026 yards and nine scores—production that looks even a tad better when you consider he’s been fighting for snaps in a crowded Packers WRs room.
What makes the 24-year-old Wicks appealing is his ability to separate without needing top-end speed. He’s the guy who baits a corner into thinking the route is over, then slants inside for a first down or sneaks behind the coverage for six. He’s had some issues with drops, but that’s something he can improve.
Wicks is not a boom-or-bust deep threat, but he’s the type of versatile target Mahomes thrives with when the pocket gets messy and the play breaks down. That’s why Veach should be interested.
Why the Kansas City Chiefs Should Pursue a Trade for Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks
Veach wouldn’t need to overpay, as Wicks is still on his rookie contract through 2026, so his value is in cost-control as much as production. Green Bay, meanwhile, might like to add a little extra draft capital after the Micah Parsons trade.
Here’s a trade proposal we think might work for both K.C. and Green Bay:
- Kansas City would send a 2026 fourth-round pick to Green Bay in exchange for Wicks, with the pick escalating to a third if he logs 60% of offensive snaps and tops 650 yards or 8 TDs in 2025. To sweeten it, the Packers could toss back a conditional 2027 sixth if the escalator triggers.
Kansas City doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel here—they just need one more spoke to perhaps make the ride a tad more smooth. Wicks is young, cheap, relatively productive and likely itching for more snaps.
For Mahomes, it’d be one less plate to spin and one more target he can trust.
