SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The road to Super Bowl LX officially got weird on Monday night. In a spectacle that felt more like a circus than a press conference, thousands of reporters descended upon the Bay Area to grill the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. The night swung wildly from Sam Darnold accepting a giant foam ham to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell fielding heavy questions about Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame exclusion.
While the Patriots (road whites) and Seahawks (home blues) prepare to clash this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, Opening Night proved that the storylines off the field are just as loud as the ones on it. Drake Maye, battling an illness, looks to follow Tom Brady’s footsteps, while journeyman Darnold is finally soaking in the spotlight after eight roller-coaster NFL seasons.
You can’t script this kind of zaniness. Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, who revived his career to lead the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and the NFC’s No. 1 seed, found himself the center of a peculiar viral moment. A reporter handed the veteran a poncho emblazoned with “Ham for Sam” and an oversized hat resembling a ham with pineapple slices.
Darnold didn’t flinch. He wore it. “The only thing that matters is if you believe in yourself,” Darnold said, pivoting from the ham gag to his winding journey through five NFL teams. “I knew at some point an opportunity would arise.”
On the other side, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye kept things lower key. The 23-year-old MVP candidate missed practice Friday with an illness and is managing a shoulder injury, but refused to let it dampen the mood. Maye, attempting to become the second-youngest QB to start a Super Bowl, leaned on advice from the G.O.A.T. himself. “No shortcuts,” Maye said, citing Tom Brady’s mentorship. “I’ve met Brady a few times… the best advice is there are no shortcuts when it comes to succeeding.”
While players dodged questions about their playlists, Commissioner Roger Goodell faced the heat regarding the league’s integrity and future.
The biggest shocker? Bill Belichick reportedly falling short in his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility. Goodell distanced himself from the decision immediately. “We have no involvement,” Goodell stated, emphasizing that the HOF is run separately. “Bill Belichick deserves to be in that Hall of Fame… six Super Bowls as a head coach. That’s a Hall of Fame career.”
The Commissioner also fielded questions regarding New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch, whose name appeared in released Justice Department files regarding Jeffrey Epstein. “We are going to look at all the facts,” Goodell said, preaching caution before jumping to discipline.
On a lighter note, the NFL’s global footprint is exploding. The league confirmed:
“For the 18th game to happen… there’s obviously going to be some negotiation. If the 18th game is on the table, there’s going to have to be some talks about what makes that worth it to the players.” — Cooper Kupp, Seahawks Receiver
“This could be a preseason game and I’d be happy to be here with these guys after kind of what I’ve been through.” — Terrell Williams, Patriots Defensive Coordinator (on returning after treating prostate cancer)
Superstition is already in play. Despite being the designated “home” team, the Patriots captains opted to wear their road white jerseys. Why? Coach Mike Vrabel joked they are “more slimming,” but the stats don’t lie: New England is 9-0 on the road this season. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
Meanwhile, the literal ground they walk on is under scrutiny. Nick Pappas, the NFL’s turf guru, has spent 16 months preparing the sod for Levi’s Stadium. The installation went into overdrive in January to ensure the grass is a non-factor come Sunday.
The vibe at Opening Night suggests two teams in very different headspaces. The Seahawks are riding a wave of loose confidence—epitomized by Darnold’s ham hat and Cooper Kupp’s relaxed discussion about halftime shows (he wants Noah Kahan, by the way). They feel like a team playing with house money after a stunning turnaround season.
The Patriots feel more dialed in, perhaps carrying the weight of the “Patriot Way” legacy. With Maye fighting through illness and the defense rallying around coordinator Terrell Williams’ inspirational return, New England seems to be treating this as a business trip. Sunday will come down to whether Seattle’s loose energy can crack New England’s disciplined, road-tested armor.
