A full-circle moment surrounds Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft. As a 13-year-old, Maye attended Super Bowl L as a Panthers fan cheering Cam Newton; now he returns to the same venue as a starting QB aiming to win the title for his own team.
For the Seahawks, Sam Darnold represents a Panthers connection that has evolved into a championship pursuit. Darnold’s journey began in Charlotte after the Panthers acquired him in 2021; after stints in San Francisco and Minnesota, he joined Seattle and helped the team reach Super Bowl LX. In the last two seasons, he’s completed 67 percent of his passes for 8,367 yards with 60 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.
Ex-Panthers personnel also dot the two Super Bowl rosters and staff, underscoring the Panthers’ ongoing influence on both teams. The Athletic’s Joe Person listed several ex-Panthers involved with the clubs: Seahawks assistant coaches Frisman Jackson (WR) and Jake Peetz (pass game coordinator), along with Devin Fitzsimmons (assistant special teams). For New England, K’Lavon Chaisson, Thomas Brown (pass game coordinator), Ben McAdoo (senior offensive assistant), and Robert Kugler (assistant OL) are noted as Panthers alums connected to the Super Bowl teams.
The Super Bowl LX game is scheduled for February 8 in Santa Clara, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. ET. The Panthers’ footprint on both sides of the field adds a distinct layer to the narrative, as fans watch a former Panthers fan and a former Panthers quarterback compete for the sport’s highest prize.
