Super Bowl LX QB Head-to-Head: Sam Darnold vs. Drake Maye in the NFL's Biggest Game
by Sam Cox | by Tyler Doty
Drake Maye and Sam Darnold is the most surprising Super Bowl quarterback matchup in recent history. Both the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks were projected to be around the .500 mark before the season but now meet the NFL's biggest stage.
There were questions about Darnold’s performances in pressure situations after his shambolic end to the 2024 campaign. Maye was yet to play a full NFL season and, despite his raw talent, wasn’t expected to be an MVP candidate in 2025.
Fast forward to Super Bowl LX and one of these players will forever be written into NFL history as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
Maye can join Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, Russell Wilson, and Ben Roethlisberger as the only quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl in their second year. Darnold can complete a remarkable career turnaround.
Arm Talent
Darnold has a strong arm and can make tight-window throws. He’s been consistently successful over the middle of the field.
Still, Maye probably has the slight edge. He can generate a bit more power from the pocket and has illustrated a game-changing knack for deep throws. Darnold has those deep passes in his locker, yet it doesn’t feel quite as effortless as Maye, who belongs in that Caleb Williams, Josh Allen class.
The pair were first and second in net yards per pass attempt, and the fact Maye topped that category with a mediocre receiving corps is impressive. Maye’s 5.4 completed air yards per pass attempt was far clear of anyone else. Darnold was 13th in intended air yards.
Playoff Success
It goes without saying both players have had success in this postseason. The way their teams have reached the Super Bowl is starkly contrasting, however, with Darnold putting up a near-perfect display in the NFC Championship Game and Maye grinding his way through the first three rounds.
Maye’s biggest play of this postseason was his off-script scramble to seal the win over the Broncos. He’s fumbled the ball six times and thrown a pair of picks. He had a grand total of 86 passing yards against Denver (and that’s not all down to the second-half blizzard).
Darnold didn’t need to do too much in the win over the Niners. He was superb against the Los Angeles Rams, though, with 346 passing yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. It was the best game of his career to date given the stakes and banished the memories of his woes in Week 17 and the Wild Card Round last season.
On The Move
It’s advantage Maye when it comes to mobility. He led the NFL with 62 scrambles to Darnold’s 14. His yards per scramble were higher and New England is going to need Maye to use his legs effectively in Santa Clara with the pressure Seattle’s defensive line can bring.
The Patriots’ offensive line hasn’t been particularly reliable in this postseason, particularly at the tackle spots. Maye will need to make plays on the move and take yards with his legs when the opportunity arises.
Darnold is effective in the play action game (third-most play action passing yards in the regular season), but the Patriots don’t need to worry about him scrambling downfield in the same way as Seattle does with Maye. This makes it easier for New England to focus on Seattle’s diverse receiving corps.
Experience
This is the biggest game of both of their careers. Darnold’s lone playoff appearance before this run included nine sacks, a lost fumble, and a pick. They have played the same number of postseason games, and it’s not like Darnold played many high-stakes regular-season contests on the New York Jets or Carolina Panthers.
Nerves have been evident for Maye in the last three rounds. Darnold has been cool and composed. Perhaps that’s the benefit of his 100 games of NFL experience compared with Maye’s 30.
Maye is the youngest Super Bowl quarterback since Dan Marino. Darnold will celebrate his 29th birthday in June. Age isn’t a factor that will singlehandedly decide the outcome at Levi’s Stadium, but it’s something to consider for bettors.
Surrounding Circumstances
It’s never possible to view a quarterback in a vacuum. Darnold is a great example of that – he looked like a bust on the Jets before posting consecutive Pro Bowl seasons on functional teams.
Both players got much improved play from their offensive lines, though Darnold has enjoyed better protection in the playoffs. Look out for how Will Campbell performs in the Super Bowl.
Darnold has one of the league’s top two receivers in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, plus the steady veteran presence of Cooper Kupp.
AJ Barner is underrated at tight end. Kenneth Walker III, along with Zach Charbonnet before his injury, gives Seattle an effective running game.
Jake Bobo came up big in the NFC Championship Game and Rashid Shaheed was an ideal trade deadline acquisition.
Maye doesn’t have the same luxury. Stefon Diggs has been kept quiet over the last four games and cannot carry the workload of earlier in his career. It’s very much been receiver by committee, with none of Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, or Mack Hollins belonging in the elite bracket.
Hunter Henry is a similarly effective receiver to Barner, but Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson have barely combined for a serviceable running game.
Maye has had the better individual season. Darnold probably wouldn’t have carried this Patriots team to 14 wins. Seattle is a more favorable situation, though, and that should be remembered when analyzing their Super Bowl performances.
