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The two quarterbacks facing off in Super Bowl LX — Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold and New England Patriots’ Drake Maye — have taken different paths in the NFL to get to the biggest game of their careers to date.
In the end, one will walk away a champion, while the other will think about what they could have done differently to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy instead. 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 leading up to this point. He knows which quarterback comes into this game and plays better than the other.
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New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) drops back to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 13, 2015. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)
Darnold has only played in two playoff games given the Seahawks’ No. 1 seed status in the NFC. He didn’t have to do much against the San Francisco 49ers, as Kenneth Walker III scored three touchdowns and rushed for over 100 yards. Still, Darnold was able to complete 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 Los Angeles Rams, his NFC West rival. He matched Matthew Stafford’s three touchdown passes while surpassing him in passing yards (346) in a stellar performance to help his team to the Super Bowl.
PATRIOTS’ DRAKE MAYE, SEAHAWKS’ SAM DARNOLD BOTH LISTED ON INJURY REPORTS AHEAD OF SUPER BOWL
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27 over the Los Angeles Rams.
Darnold and the Seahawks are on a roll, and clearly have the right momentum in this contest. However, Fitzpatrick believes this is also a time that works perfectly for the Patriots and Maye, who has struggled in his first three career playoff games.
The defense has been the bright spot looking back at these playoffs, but Maye is also an MVP candidate because of how consistent and effective he was all season. Fitzpatrick believes he can get back to it for this game.
“I think with Drake Maye having this off week, or bye week, will be good for him because he’s struggled a little bit in the playoffs,” he explained. “He was so consistent and efficient in the regular season. We’ve had the fumbles, it hasn’t been the same efficiency as it was in 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. 25 January 2026. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
“For him to take a week and take a deep breath and realize that even if 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 they’ll be just fine. It’s been nice for him to get a little reset.”
PATRIOTS GO BACK TO SUPER BOWL AFTER NARROW AFC TITLE VICTORY OVER BRONCOS
Football fans know how impactful quarterback play is, which makes it even more crucial in the final game of the season.
Will Darnold stay hot in Santa Clara? Will Maye be back to his regular season self from the start? Either way, Fitzpatrick wants them both clicking on all cylinders.
“I’d love to see some fireworks. I know we’re not going to have snow, so hopefully we won’t get the 10-7 game. But I’d love to see this be a little bit of a shootout,” he said.
A HAPPY ISLAND, A HAPPY FITZ
After a long football season, Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, visited Aruba for some well-deserved relaxation to reset and recharge before the Super Bowl.
He partnered with the Aruba Tourism Authority, which demonstrates 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 and loved every minute of it as he experienced the outdoor lifestyle that Aruba, nicknamed the “One Happy Island,” has to offer.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, enjoyed their time in Aruba after the 2025 NFL season. (Aruba Tourism Authority)
“My wife and I – seven kids. So we very rarely get away. So when we do get away, we have to make sure it’s the right place, and this one hit. It’s got the white sand beaches, it’s got the resort, which is great. But it’s also got the adventure. I’m not a guy who likes to just sit on the beach and get a tan all day long, we were swimming in a little cave and we were looking for a little cave. a little.
“The great thing for my wife and I, you feel relaxed right away. Then we come home and there’s this air of happiness and rejuvenation that we feel. It stayed with us.”
