Will Campbell learned from some of the best in the offseason, and other observations at Patriots training camp

FOXBOROUGH — Over the offseason, Patriots left tackle Will Campbell had the opportunity to work with some of the best offensive linemen in the business.

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Two-time Super Bowl champion Lane Johnson invited Campbell to spend a few days at Rooks Performance, Johnson’s 10-acre training facility in Oklahoma. Among the linemen in attendance were five-time Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins, 2024 first-round draft pick Tyler Guyton, two-time first-team All-Pro center Creed Humphrey, and Super Bowl champion Tristan Wirfs.

Also joining the group in the weight room were Mitchell Hooper, two-time World’s Strongest Man champion, Joshua Bridges, a former Navy SEAL, and multiple professional power lifters.

The players had a chance to work out, enjoy meals together, and pick one another’s brains. Campbell — who, despite a shaky postseason performance, is coming off a strong rookie year — said he came away with “a ton of knowledge.”

“I worked with a lot of guys who have been around for a long time and have done it at a high level for a long time,” he said. “Anything that they could teach me that could help me, whether that’s football or off the field or just training or just being around them in the same environment, I always want to put myself in the best position possible.”

Campbell identified Dawkins as a new close connection, one that he feels he will maintain moving forward (even though Dawkins has spent his entire 10-year career with the Bills, a divisional rival).

“I don’t really know [if we’re sharing] tricks of the trade because we’re two completely different players in two completely different systems,” Campbell said. “But he’s done it at a high level for a long time in this league and he plays for a good team. Whatever he can teach me that might translate to my game from his, I’ll take it.”

Campbell tried to be a sponge throughout the summer, both during his time in Oklahoma and in Dallas, where he also trained with 2021 first-round pick Rashawn Slater and 2025 first-rounder Armand Membou.

Now, back at Gillette Stadium for his second training camp, Campbell said his goal is “to continue to grow every day.” He hopes to become more comfortable with new left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker in the coming weeks.

“He’s great,” Campbell said. “I knew about AVT before he even came here. He’s a phenomenal player. I’m excited to play with him. He’s done great. He’s meshed with the room really well. Just excited to continue growing that relationship on and off the field and see where it goes.”

Other observations from Day 2 of training camp . . .

* The Patriots officially signed second-round pick Gabe Jacas, which means he passed his physical. Jacas did not participate in practice but was working on the lower field — still a positive sign to his eventual return to action after so much time away.

* Cornerback Christian Gonzalez remained a full participant in practice, even though he has yet to sign a contract extension. Negotiations certainly do not seem hostile. But Patriots owner Robert Kraft seemed to put the pressure on Gonzalez’s camp on Saturday, when he revealed that the team has already offered a contract that would make Gonzalez the highest paid cornerback in the league.

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Two potential reasons for the hold up are:

1. Gonzalez wants more guaranteed money than the Patriots are offering. Trent McDuffie, the current highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, received $100 million guaranteed from the Rams on his four-year, $124 million deal.

2. Gonzalez is waiting for Devon Witherspoon to sign his extension in order to maximize his value. Witherspoon, who shares an agent with Gonzalez, also has the ability to reset the market at the cornerback position, so Gonzalez could potentially increase his pay day by waiting for that deal to become finalized.

* In a crowded receiver room, with his name consistently in trade rumors, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is showing out. For two straight days, Boutte had made the catch of the day. He dove to haul in a 45-yard pass along the sideline on Saturday and made an impressive back-shoulder grab in tight coverage on Sunday.

“He’s made some really good catches,” safety Kevin Byard said. “I’m obviously seeing that he’s a deep threat.”

* If you think quarterback Drake Maye has bulked up, don’t expect him to tell you.

“I think my program’s going to say 6-foot-4, 225, and that’s how we keep it,” Maye said. You guys won’t know what I gain, if I lose. So, I think that’s the best part about having some inside information. I’m just trying to keep my body in the healthiest form. So, if you guys think I look like 230, I may be 220. It doesn’t matter. I know and our strength guys know.”

* The Patriots aren’t expected to hold fully padded practices until Thursday, but the defense came out winners on Sunday. On back-to-back plays of a competitive team period, Gonzalez broke up a pass and Craig Woodson dove to intercept a throw that bounced off the hands of A.J. Brown. Later, Carlton Davis also broke up a pass intended for Romeo Doubs.

“I feel really good about the secondary,” Byard said. “We just got to continue to build.”

* Rookie Caleb Lomu took some snaps at right tackle with the starting offensive line, as the team manages the workload of 35-year-old Morgan Moses. It’s unsurprising to see Moses take some reps off, given his age.

* The Patriots had a new notable absence: fullback Reggie Gilliam. All other absences were players on the physically unable to perform (PUP) or non-football injury (NFI) list.

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