Sam Darnold made it to the Super Bowl in his first season with the Seahawks.
The Super Bowl LX matchup is set. It’s the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch. But there’s more: In the game of the year, two quarterbacks with Carolina Panthers ties go head-to-head.
Or as Darin Garret of panthers.com wrote in his January 26 article, “The Super Bowl’s coming down to a pair of quarterbacks who have worn the black and blue.”
And when the clock hits 00:00 after four quarters, one of the two will hoist the coveted Lombardi Trophy.
A Full-Circle Moment for Patriots’ Drake Maye
GettyIn Super Bowl L, Drake Maye cheered on quarterback Cam Newton. Now he himself is fighting for the Lombardi Trophy.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was the No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. But before he became an NFL quarterback, Maye was a huge Panthers fan. Ten years ago, 13-year-old Maye attended Super Bowl L in Santa Clara with his father. Back then, he cheered for his idol: Cam Newton.
Now, ten years later, the quarterback will return to Santa Clara as the leader of his own team to fight for the title. “I’m just proud of this team,” Maye said in the post-game interview.
He also told reporters: “It’s full circle. My dad, when I was maybe in seventh grade, said if the Panthers made it we were going to go. It was heartbreaking, they lost to the Broncos. But no, it was a good experience for a kid my age who loved football, loved quarterbacks. That was Peyton (Manning)’s last game. What a (Pro Football) Hall of Fame career he’s had. Pretty cool to be full circle, going back here 10 years later, and I think it’s just a special moment for this whole team, and we’re just going to enjoy it tonight and head back.”
But it’s not just a former Carolina Panthers fan taking the field in Super Bowl LX. A former Panthers quarterback is also chasing the Lombardi Trophy.
Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold: From Zero to Hero
GettySam Darnold led the Seattle Seahawks from the No. 1 seed in the NFC to the Super Bowl.
The Carolina Panthers acquired signal-caller Sam Darnold from the New York Jets in April 2021, and his time in Charlotte started off well. In 2021, the Panthers started 3-0 before falling to 5-12 by the end of the season.
In the 2022 season, the Panthers managed a 7‑10 record, good enough for second place in the NFC South. Yet a breakthrough with—and by—Darnold never materialized.
After two seasons with the big black cats from North Carolina, his journey as a free agent took him to San Francisco, where he served as a backup before he ended up in Minnesota in 2024 and with the Seahawks in 2025.
Both teams won 14 games with Darnold under center. In the last two seasons, he’s completed 67 percent of his passes for 8,367 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions.
Even if fans might not have the fondest memories of Sam Darnold, at least his former teammates are happy for the ex-Panthers quarterback. “I knew he would,” offensive lineman Austin Corbett said. “I loved when Sam was here; he was awesome.”
In addition to Sam Darnold, several other former Panthers players and staff members will also be part of the two Super Bowl teams. The Athletic’s Joe Person posted a list of all participants:
Besides Sam Darnold, several other ex-Panthers on rosters/staffs of the two SB teams.
SEA: WR coach Frisman Jackson, pass game coord. Jake Peetz, asst. ST coach Devin Fitzsimmons
NE: K’Lavon Chaisson, pass game coord. Thomas Brown, sr. def. asst Ben McAdoo, asst OL Robert Kugler
Whether as a lifelong fan or a former quarterback, both are set to take the Super Bowl stage—carrying a piece of the Panthers with them.
The Super Bowl will take place on February 8 in Santa Clara. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Fabienne Lampe Fabienne Lampe is a German sports journalist, covering the NFL, College Football, NBA, and Formula 1 for Heavy Sports. Lampe has years of experience covering the NFL, especially the Atlanta Falcons as their sole German reporter. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in the NFL, including Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Lampe also hosts a Formula 1 podcast and works as a play-by-play announcer. More about Fabienne Lampe
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