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The two quarterbacks facing off in Super Bowl LX – Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks and Drake Maye of the New England Patriots – took different NFL paths to get to the biggest game of their careers to date.
In the end, one will walk away champion, while the other will reflect on what he could have done differently to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy. So who has the quarterback advantage?
Former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who currently works as a panelist for Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football,” has watched both quarterbacks throughout the season and their playoff games thus far. He knows which quarterback comes into this game playing better than the other.
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New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) returns to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 13, 2015. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)
Darnold only played in two playoff games given the Seahawks’ status as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. He didn’t have much to do against the San Francisco 49ers, as Kenneth Walker III scored three touchdowns and ran for over 100 yards. Yet Darnold completed 70% of his passes for 124 yards with one touchdown pass and a quarterback rating of 110.9.
But his best game this season came at the perfect time in the NFC Championship Game against the NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams. He matched Matthew Stafford’s three touchdown passes, while surpassing him in passing yards (346) in a fantastic performance to help his team win the Super Bowl.
PATRIOTS’ DRAKE MAYE AND SEAHAWKS’ SAM DARNOLD ALL LISTED ON INJURY REPORTS BEFORE SUPER BOWL
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC NFL Championship football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Darnold and the Seahawks are on a roll and very clearly have the right momentum going into this contest. However, Fitzpatrick believes it’s also a stretch that works perfectly for the Patriots and Maye, who has struggled in his first three playoff games of his career.
Defense has been the bright spot in these playoffs, but Maye is also an MVP candidate because of his consistency and efficiency all season. Fitzpatrick thinks he can get back there for this match.
“I think with Drake Maye, this bye week, or this bye week, is going to be good for him because he struggled a little bit in the playoffs,” he explained. “He was so consistent and efficient in the regular season. We had fumbles, it wasn’t the same efficiency as during the season.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) reacts after the New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. January 25, 2026. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
“For him to take a week, take a deep breath and realize that even though he hasn’t played his best the last three weeks, they’re in the Super Bowl. All he has to do is play his best game on Super Bowl Sunday, and he’ll be just fine. It’s good for him to get a little reset.”
PATRIOTS RETURN TO SUPER BOWL AFTER NARROW AFC TITLE WIN AGAINST BRONCOS
Football fans know how impactful the quarterback’s play is, which makes it even more crucial in the final game of the season.
Will Darnold stay hot in Santa Clara? Will Maye return to his regular season self by kickoff? Either way, Fitzpatrick wants them both clicking on all cylinders.
“I would love to see fireworks. I know we won’t have snow, so we’re not going to get the game 10-7, hopefully. But I’d like to see it turn into a little shootout,” he said.
A HAPPY ISLAND, A HAPPY FITZ
After a long football season, Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, traveled to Aruba to relax and recharge before the Super Bowl.
It has partnered with the Aruba Tourism Authority, which highlights the island’s commitment to responsible tourism, which includes protecting the island’s natural environment, celebrating local culture and inviting guests to travel mindfully through the Aruba Promise and Guest Guidelines.
Fitzpatrick did it and loved every minute of it, all while experiencing the outdoor lifestyle that Aruba, nicknamed “One Happy Island,” has to offer.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, enjoyed their stay in Aruba following the 2025 NFL season. (Aruba Tourism Authority)
“My wife and I, seven kids. So we very rarely get away. So when we go we have to make sure it’s the right place, and this one hit the spot. There are white sand beaches, there’s a resort, which is great. But there’s also adventure. I’m not one to sit on the beach and sunbathe all day. There was hiking, we swam in a natural pool, we went searching a bit of caves.
“The nice thing for my wife and I is that we feel relaxed right away. Then we come home and there’s this air of happiness and rejuvenation that we feel. That stayed with us.”
