Patriots and Seahawks face off 11 years after the memorable 2015 Super Bowl

2026 Super Bowl: A New Chapter for Patriots and Seahawks

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — It feels like ages ago, but there was once a time when the Patriots and Seahawks faced off in their inaugural Super Bowl showdown. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were leading one side, while Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll stood on the other. It was a fierce contest, marked by a controversial finish. In the end, the Patriots triumphed in Glendale, Arizona, preventing the Seahawks from clinching back-to-back championships.

That was back in 2015. Fast forward 11 years, and now we see Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel for the Patriots, and Sam Darnold alongside Mike McDonald for the Seahawks. The veterans have moved on, and these teams are entering a new era. Their revamped rosters will clash at the 2026 Super Bowl this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

Both teams wrapped up the regular season with identical records—14 wins and 3 losses. However, the Seahawks are favored by 4.5 points, having earned a higher ranking.

“Someone has to step up. I don’t think it’s a bad spot to be in,” Vrabel said, embracing the underdog role.

This game marks the head coaching debuts in high-stakes situations for both Vrabel and McDonald, though their experiences are quite different. At 50, Vrabel has three Super Bowl rings as a former linebacker with the Patriots. McDonald, at 38, is in his second year as head coach and is navigating his first big game.

If the Patriots emerge victorious, Vrabel will make history as the first former player to win a Super Bowl as a head coach with the same team.

It’s an uphill battle for either side. The Patriots come in on a six-game winning streak, despite their three losses earlier in the season being by a mere 18 points. The Seahawks, on the other hand, have won nine games in a row, also with losses adding up to just nine points. A blowout of any sort would be surprising given how closely matched these teams are.

Each quarterback’s journey to this point has been quite different. Darnold, once labeled a “draft bust” after being picked third overall by the Jets in 2018, has bounced around teams and remained popular among former teammates and coaches. “I take every experience as my own,” he stated.

If the Seahawks claim the trophy, Darnold would join an elite group as the fourth quarterback to win a Super Bowl in his first year with a franchise, alongside legends like Brady and Stafford.

“Sam’s incredible,” said Jackson Smith-Njigba, Darnold’s leading wide receiver. “I’m here for him through everything.”

Maye’s rise has been more traditional; drafted third overall in 2024, he spent his rookie year learning, and now, in his second season, he’s an MVP candidate. A Patriots victory would make Maye the youngest starting quarterback (23 years, 162 days) to secure a Super Bowl win.

“It all starts with talent,” Vrabel added. “He’s a true competitor, always looking to improve and grow. His performance is crucial to our success.”

Though Maye’s regular-season performance was impressive, he faced challenges in the playoffs, being sacked 15 times over four games—the highest since 1970. Scoring has also been a struggle for the Patriots.

On the injury front, both quarterbacks have minor issues to contend with. Maye bruised his right shoulder two weeks ago, while Darnold missed practice earlier this week due to an oblique concern.