Patrick Mahomes isn’t walking through that door at Levi’s Stadium. Jalen Hurts and Matthew Stafford won’t be in Santa Clara, either.
None of the usual suspects are headlining Super Bowl 60’s marquee matchup.
Instead, the NFL’s biggest showcase, which takes place a week from today, has a couple of new faces manning football’s most pivotal position when the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks.
The two quarterbacks in the main event?
Drake Maye vs. Sam Darnold.
It’s the Patriots second-year phenom vs. the Seahawks late-blooming star.
Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who won a Super Bowl in his first appearance in the championship game, knows a little something about Maye and Darnold.
He’s a fan of both quarterbacks, their stories, and their rise to success.
“What I see is a really good matchup,” Warner told MassLive when asked about the two leading men. “I see two good defenses that are going to be taking on these two quarterbacks, and I’m sure a lot of this game will be dictated by which quarterback wins their battle against those good defenses.
“But I like both of them and what they do,” the NFL Network analyst went on. “I like the schemes and how they play, how they fit. It’s a big reason why they’re here.”
The AFC Champion Patriots, 17-3 after their march through their side of the draw, and Seattle Seahawks, 16-3 with the benefit of an opening round bye, are headed to San Francisco today ahead of next Sunday’s showdown.
Maye is currently dealing with an injury to his right throwing shoulder. The Patriots quarterback missed Friday’s practice with an illness, and was doing everything possible to get his shoulder 100 percent or close enough to it.
It’ll be interesting to see how he progresses during the week.
Like Maye, Warner reached the Super Bowl his second year in the league. Tom Brady and Mahomes did as well, which puts Maye in some fine company.
- BETTING: Patriots moneyline is +194 on FanDuel for Super Bowl 60’s game on Sunday against the Seahawks. Our comprehensive FanDuel Sportsbook review provides a guide on how to sign up and use their platform. For all of the best Patriots Super Bowl odds, check out our expert insights.
Warner, who makes a point of studying film of the quarterbacks each week, appreciates how quickly Maye has advanced and developed under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
“Drake has been great this year. He’s played really well,” Warner said of the Patriots MVP candidate. “He’s done so many things well just in terms of playing the position, and growing in the position. I love their offense and how Josh builds it and what he forces Drake to do.”
Warner couldn’t say enough about how McDaniels is teaching Maye how to play the position the right way, with the right offense, even conjuring up the GOAT to make his point.
“The way Tom Brady played the game is the way Josh is bringing Drake along, and I’m a firm believer in playing that way, and how that helps a quarterback, and I’ve watched Drake grow into that,” Warner said. “It just hasn’t been a dink-and-dunk wide receiver screen offense. They play football and he’s had to play the quarterback position and he’s done it so well that I’m excited for him.
“Just knowing that team, and Mike Vrabel and his history, and Josh’s history in these moments … I think a lot of people see them as the underdog and that makes sense. But I don’t look at them and say they can’t win this game. They have a really good defense, a good scheme, good players, although maybe not a lot of household names, and they’ve got a quarterback who’s played at an extremely high level this year.
“And that’s the formula you need to win Super Bowls”
What does Darnold have?
Perseverance and the will to keep his dream alive after flopping in New York (2018-2020), and having shorts stints with Carolina (2021-2022), San Francisco (2023), and Minnesota (2024) before landing in Seattle.
“Where you start, how ready you are, your ability to weather that storm, and not lose your confidence, and then find yourself a home that believes in you, and to have a season like this, it’s just really cool to me,” Warner said of Darnold. “You hope that stories like that can help people around the NFL look at things a little differently and realize patience can be key in certain situations, and players can become great even if they’re not great right now. I love that part of the story.”
Warner also gives high marks to Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who was hired at the start of the season, for getting the best out of Darnold.
Warner loves the connection.
“What Seattle does really fits Sam. I think he’s growing. I think the NFC championship was a great example of a game where he needed to carry the team more,” Warner said of Darnold’s performance against the LA Rams in the championship game. “That’s not necessarily what you have to do a lot with this team. Sam hasn’t necessarily been great in those moments when he’s had to (carry a team), and so that was really cool to see him deliver.
“I think he quieted some critics with the big moment against Matt Stafford, who played great, and is an MVP, and really out-dueled him in that game, so to speak. Because of that, they have a great shot to win the Super Bowl.”
Darnold, who has recently been battling an oblique injury, has had turnover issues throughout his career, and led the league this year with 20 turnovers (14 interceptions).
But, he was turnover-free during the NFC Championship game, going 37-for-53 (69.8%) for 470 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Seahawks over the Rams, 31-27.
Warner feels both Maye and Darnold have special traits that separate them from the rest, and will be on display on Super Bowl Sunday.
Darnold?
“What I love about Sam, I think he’s really good on the move,” Warner said. “I think they try to get him out in space. And, he throws the ball really well. He’s really good at that second-level throw.”
Maye?
His deep ball is second to none.
“There’s such an art form to throwing the deep ball. Being able to throw it firm enough, but soft enough with great arc and allowing that height and distance and arc on the football allows your receivers to track it and make catches,” Warner said. “I think (Drake) throws such a catchable ball. It’s effortless for him when he throws the football downfield. He’s got great touch and it always has great height on it.”
Warner believes Maye’s ability to throw accurately down the field, generating big play after big play, is what sets him apart from most quarterbacks.
Beyond that, Warner also gushed about Maye’s pocket presence.
“He manipulates the pocket really well. Kind of like what Brady used to do,” Warner said, bringing up the GOAT once again. “Just the ability to negotiate the pressure in the pocket, and find space and holes to be able to throw the ball and make plays down the field.
“Some of it has led to some of the fumbles he’s had, cuz he’s trying to prolong things, cuz he’s so good at that. But that’s something else that has really impressed me about him. Just that feel in the pocket while he’s playing the position.”
Warner, however, believes neither quarterback has done enough to be considered “great” quarterbacks just yet. He believes both still haven’t hit their potential.
“Both of these guys aren’t finished products yet. There’s still more to prove and there’s still more consistency to have,” Warner said. “But that’s OK. If you have the ability to be in the Super Bowl when you’re still growing as a player, that’s a special thing to do.”
