SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The fog is rolling into Levi’s Stadium, and so is the weight of history. When the New England Patriots collide with the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET, it isn’t just about the Lombardi Trophy. It’s about a dynasty reborn, a career resurrected, and a record book waiting to be rewritten. Robert Kraft is one win away from snapping the tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers and claiming a historic seventh Super Bowl title.
But while the Bay Area braces for the biggest spectacle in sports, the leader of the free world is staying home.
The Boycott and The Noise
President Donald Trump confirmed he will not attend Super Bowl 60, citing the distance to the West Coast. “The Bay Area is too far away,” Trump stated in January. Yet, whispers around the league suggest the decision has less to do with jet lag and more to do with the reception awaiting him in Santa Clara. Political analysts speculate the President is avoiding a potentially hostile welcome at Levi’s Stadium.
Despite the boycott, Trump didn’t shy away from breaking down the tape. Breaking from his usual political rhetoric, he offered a surprisingly sharp scouting report on Friday.
“I can’t say that. But they are really two good teams,” Trump said when pressed for a pick. He then turned his attention to the men under center, highlighting the improbable nature of this matchup.
“You had one quarterback who looked like he wasn’t gonna make it and he made it,” Trump noted, referring to Seahawks signal-caller Sam Darnold, whose journey from bust to boss has captivated the NFL. “And then you have another one who’s young and they probably wish they played him last year, right?”
That “young one” is Drake Maye, the Patriots’ sophomore sensation who has dragged New England back from the post-Belichick abyss.
The Prince vs. The Survivor
This is the matchup nobody saw coming. In one corner, you have Drake Maye. Drafted third overall in 2024, Maye has stabilized a franchise that was spinning out of control. He isn’t just managing games; he’s winning them with his arm. Maye’s playoff run has been clinical, silencing critics who thought the Patriots were years away.
In the other corner stands Sam Darnold. Written off. Traded. Benched. Now, he’s leading the Seahawks into the fire. Darnold’s resurgence is the story of the 2025 season. He didn’t just survive the NFC gauntlet; he torched it. Trump’s assessment that he “looked like he wasn’t gonna make it” rings true—until Darnold proved everyone wrong.
“We know what number seven means. Mr. Kraft doesn’t have to say it. We see the six banners every day at practice. Sunday isn’t just a game; it’s about putting Pittsburgh in the rearview mirror forever.” — Jerod Mayo, Patriots Head Coach
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
If the Patriots win, Robert Kraft stands alone atop the NFL mountain with seven rings, breaking the deadlock with the Steelers. It validates the post-Belichick era and cements Drake Maye as the new face of the AFC.
If Seattle wins, the narrative flips. It becomes the ultimate redemption arc for Sam Darnold and a testament to the Seahawks’ front office for taking a gamble on a “failed” prospect. The Seahawks would capture their second title, exorcising the ghosts of the Malcolm Butler interception that haunted this exact matchup a decade ago.
Kickoff is less than 24 hours away. The President is out. The stakes are up. History is watching.
