The Denver Broncos’ outside linebacker, Jonathon Cooper, expressed determination to capitalize on the matchup against New England Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell during the upcoming AFC Championship game. Following the Patriots’ victory over the Houston Texans, Cooper highlighted the importance of exploiting Campbell’s inexperience.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel welcomed Campbell in the tunnel after the game with encouraging gestures, signaling a message to the rookie: maintain confidence. Campbell, selected fourth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, reflected on his performance, stating, “I need to play better.” In the recent game, he faced challenges against a formidable Texans defensive line, allowing four quarterback pressures and two sacks, according to data from Pro Football Focus.
As the AFC Championship approaches, the Broncos are keenly aware of Campbell’s struggles. “He’s a rookie,” Cooper told The Denver Post. “It’s his first year. So, you gotta exploit that.” Recent statistics reveal that Campbell has allowed nine pressures in his last two games, tying him with the Buffalo Bills’ Dion Dawkins for the most pressures given up by any tackle in the playoffs, as noted by Pro Football Focus.
The Patriots’ offensive line has shown vulnerability, evidenced by a pressure rate of 38.3% during the regular season, the sixth-highest in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats. Despite this, Patriots quarterback Maye, a candidate for the MVP title, has managed to maintain a degree of success. However, he has taken the most sacks in the playoffs and has had difficulty maintaining a completion percentage above 60% in his postseason appearances, contributing to six fumbles thus far.
Cooper’s teammate, edge rusher Nik Bonitto, has emerged as a key player in the Broncos’ pass rush, helping to force multiple turnovers against the Bills in the divisional round. Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph praised Bonitto’s ability to maintain focus and capitalize on opportunities, saying, “It’s so fun to watch him win and keep his eyes down.”
Bonitto has recently regained his form, recording sacks in his last two games after a less productive stretch. In contrast, Cooper has faced challenges, not recording a sack since Week 9 against the Texans. He concluded the regular season with eight sacks, a drop from his impressive start where he netted seven in the first nine games. Joseph has emphasized a strategic approach to pass rushing this season, which has included a focus on keeping mobile quarterbacks confined within the pocket.
Cooper commented on the importance of maintaining pressure on quarterbacks, emphasizing his strategy: “For me, how to win games is keeping the quarterback in the pocket and making sure he feels that pressure where he can barely see.” He noted that edge rushers must strike a balance between aggressive tactics and strategic positioning to prevent opposing quarterbacks from escaping.
As the Broncos prepare for the AFC Championship on Sunday, the focus will be on creating opportunities against Maye. “We want the ball,” Joseph stated on Thursday. “The ball is the game. And last week proved that.” The matchup presents a significant chance for the Broncos to leverage Campbell’s rookie status and enhance their chances for victory in this critical playoff clash.
