Super Bowl LX quarterback showdown: Sam Darnold faces Drake Maye in the NFL's most anticipated match-up
Two linked destinies, yet very surprising ones. Neither the New England Patriots nor the Seattle Seahawks were favourites before the start of the season, but today they find themselves on the biggest stage in the NFL.
Questions were raised about Darnold's performance under pressure after his chaotic 2024 season. As for Maye, he had yet to play a full season in the NFL and, regardless of his raw talent, was not considered an MVP candidate in 2025. At the end of Super Bowl LX, one of these players will go down in NFL history as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
Drake Maye could join Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger as the only quarterbacks to have won the Super Bowl in their second year. Sam Darnold, meanwhile, could achieve a spectacular turnaround in his career.
Strong arm
Darnold has a powerful arm and can throw accurately in tight spaces. He has consistently performed well in the middle of the field. However, Maye probably has a minor advantage, as he can generate a tad more power from the pocket and has demonstrated exceptional talent for game-changing long throws. Darnold is also capable of making these long passes, but it does not seem as easy for him as it does for Maye, who belongs in the same category as Caleb Williams and Josh Allen.
The two players ranked first and second in terms of net yards per pass attempt, with Maye dominating this category despite having a poor group of receivers, which is truly impressive. Maye's 5.4 aerial yards per pass attempt were far ahead of everyone else. Darnold ranked 13th in terms of expected aerial yards.
Postseason success
Obviously, both players have been successful in the postseason. Still, how their teams got to the Super Bowl is pretty different, with Darnold putting together a basically perfect performance in the NFC Championship game and Maye having to battle through the first three rounds.
Drake Maye's greatest feat in these playoffs was his improvisation that sealed the victory against the Broncos. He lost the ball six times and threw two interceptions. He totalled 86 passing yards against Denver.
Sam Darnold didn't have to do much to secure the win against the Niners. That said, he was excellent against the Los Angeles Rams, throwing for 346 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. It was easily his best performance to date, considering the stakes, wiping away memories of his struggles in Week 17 and the play-in round last season.
Always on the move
Maye has the advantage in terms of mobility, leading the NFL with 62 scrambles compared to Darnold's 14. His yards per scramble were higher, and New England will need Maye to use his legs to their full potential in Santa Clara against the pressure that Seattle's defensive line can exert.
The Patriots' offensive line wasn't the most reliable at the end of the season, especially when it came to blocking. Maye will need to make plays on the run and gain yards with his legs when he gets the chance. Darnold is efficient in the passing game, ranking third in passing yards during the regular season, but the Patriots don't have to worry about him moving around the field like Seattle does with Maye. This allows New England to focus more easily on Seattle's diverse group of receivers.
Experience as an asset?
This is the most important game either of them has ever played. Darnold's only playoff appearance prior to this series included nine sacks, a lost fumble and an interception. They both have the same number of playoff games under their belts, and it's not as if Darnold has played in many high-stakes games during the regular season with the New York Jets or the Carolina Panthers.
Maye showed signs of nervousness in the last three rounds, while Darnold remained calm and composed. This may be the advantage that his 100 NFL games of experience give him, compared to only 30 for Maye.
Darnold will celebrate his 29th birthday in June, while Maye (23) is the youngest quarterback in the Super Bowl since Dan Marino. Age alone will not determine the result of the game at Levi's Stadium, but it is a factor to consider.
Context
You should never judge a quarterback out of context. Darnold is a prime example of this, having appeared to be a failure with the Jets before going on to play in several consecutive Pro Bowls with successful teams.
Both players benefited from a significant improvement in their offensive line, although Darnold enjoyed better protection during the postseason. Will Campbell's performance in the Super Bowl will be one to watch.
Same Darnold has one of the two best receivers in the league, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as well as the consistent contribution of veteran Cooper Kupp. AJ Barner is underrated at tight end, and Kenneth Walker III, like Zach Charbonnet before his injury, provides Seattle with an effective running game. Jake Bobo distinguished himself in the NFC Championship game, and Rashid Shaheed was an excellent addition at the transfer deadline.
On the other side, Drake Maye does not have the same luxury. Stefon Diggs has been quiet in the last four games and can no longer carry the workload he had early in his career. The wide receiver position has been largely shared, as none of Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas or Mack Hollins belong among the elite.
Hunter Henry is as effective a receiver as Barner, but Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson have barely managed to form an effective running game.
Maye enjoyed a better individual season, and Darnold might not have led the Patriots to 14 wins. However, Seattle is in a better position, and that should be kept in mind when evaluating their Super Bowl performance.
