Patriots face Seahawks in Super Bowl rematch as NFL season begins

Jennifer EaganDuke CastiglioneSEATTLE —

The New England Patriots are set to face the Seattle Seahawks tonight in a Super Bowl LX rematch as the 2026 NFL season kicks off Wednesday.

Seven months after their Super Bowl loss to Seattle, the Patriots have a chance to turn the page. Before the game begins, they will witness the Seahawks raise their Super Bowl banner at their home stadium.

The Patriots’ offense looks very different from the last time these two teams met. Quarterback Drake Maye is entering his second full season with notable upgrades, including wide receiver A.J. Brown.

“I’m super excited. I literally looked at the sign today and said, ‘I am a Patriot.’ I am still in awe. I am grateful. I am grateful, and I am excited. There are a lot of opportunities out there to go make plays, you know, just play fast and have fun,” Brown said.

Brown is the big-time outside target the Patriots lacked last year. The team is also relying on a more experienced offensive line to give Maye more time, a critical factor against a Seattle defense that sacked him six times in the Super Bowl.

This marks only the second time in NFL history that the season opener is being held on a Wednesday.

Who is in, who is out?

Patriots Cornerback Christian Gonzalez will be on the field after he agreed to a four-year, $135 million contract extension.

The Patriots will be without one of their more versatile offensive players as they prepare to take on the Seahawks.

Running back TreVeyon Henderson is out for Wednesday’s season opener with an ankle injury.

Center Ben Brown will also be sidelined with a knee injury.

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore is expected to play despite a knee injury.

The game kicks off at 8:20 p.m.