The Seattle Seahawks will begin the 2026 season exactly how their 2025 season ended: with a game against the New England Patriots. Seattle will look to defend their hard earned crown this year, and they'll start by facing the team who they conquered to get it. This is the first Super Bowl rematch in a decade, with the last one being the Denver Broncos hosting the Carolina Panthers
to kick off the 2016 season.While the Super Bowl rematch - and potential for "revenge" for the Patriots - will obviously be the key storyline going into this game, that does not appear to be the mentality of New England's young star quarterback Drake Maye. When asked about Week 1 being against the team that humiliated them on the biggest stage in American media, Maye responded
rather diplomatically and pragmatically.
Drake Maye says he doesn’t view the season opener in Seattle as a revenge game for the Patriots and they can’t get that Super Bowl loss back.
— Morgan Weaver (@morganweaver_) September 5, 2026
"They won the big one." @wpri12 pic.twitter.com/7bRHQwkqcj
Yes, yes the Seahawks did win "the big one" indeed. And the Patriots will be among the first to witness it first hand, as Seattle will be hoisting their Super Bowl LX banner in front of a raccous crowd of 12's on Wednesday night.
Drake Maye had one of the worst Super Bowl performances in recent memory. His final stat line of 295 yards and two touchdowns is perhaps the most misleading final numbers I can remember seeing. Going into the fourth quarter, Maye had completed 8-of-18 passes for a paltry 60 yards and had lost a fumble.
Maye's approach to this game reflects that of Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who was praising the Patriots during Sunday's post practice press conference.
Quite frankly, I do not see Wednesday's rematch looking like the Super Bowl. I expect a much more competitive game from New England. History tells us games between the Seahawks and Patriots always come down to the wire. The Pats might be singing a different tune publicly, but you can bet they have been spending all summer planning to spoil Seattle's kick off party.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Patriots QB Drake Maye doesn't see Week 1 vs Seahawks as Super Bowl revenge
