Richard Sherman knows a thing or two about high-stakes football. So when the former All-Pro cornerback says he’s locked in on the quarterback matchup for Super Bowl 60, you pay attention.
And this year’s showdown? It’s not your typical headline-grabbing QB duel - it’s Sam Darnold versus Drake Maye.
Unlikely? Absolutely.
But also fascinating in all the right ways.
Let’s start with Darnold. Once written off as a first-round bust, the former USC standout has found new life in Seattle.
Now, he’s one win away from delivering the Seahawks their first Super Bowl title since the Legion of Boom era - an era Sherman helped define. For Sherman, watching Darnold’s redemption arc unfold on the biggest stage is more than just compelling football.
It’s personal.
“Sam Darnold is playing at a high enough level to win a Super Bowl,” Sherman said on his podcast Wednesday. “If your defense plays like it needs to, there should be no expectation for them to not go in this game and win.”
That’s a strong vote of confidence from a guy who’s been there, done that, and picked off some of the best to ever throw a football. But Sherman isn’t just handing this one to Darnold. He knows what’s coming on the other sideline.
Drake Maye has already done what few thought possible - he’s brought the New England Patriots back into the Super Bowl conversation, and he’s done it in the post-Brady, post-Belichick era. That’s no small feat. Maye’s rise has been fast and fearless, and now he’s got a shot to carve out his own legacy in Foxborough.
“This team has a lot of pride. They’ve got a lot of talent,” Sherman added. “It’s going to be a dogfight.”
But Sherman’s focus isn’t just on the quarterbacks. He’s got his eye on the chess match brewing behind the scenes - particularly the one being orchestrated by Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
And the key piece in Kubiak’s game plan? Rookie wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
“This is going to be a great chess match,” Sherman said. “I cannot wait to see the things that Klint Kubiak draws up and builds into this offense to get Jaxon Smith-Njigba open. I think they put Christian Gonzalez on him.”
That’s a heavyweight battle in its own right. Smith-Njigba has emerged as a critical weapon in Seattle’s offense, and Kubiak’s creativity has unlocked his versatility - lining him up in the slot, motioning him across the formation, and exploiting mismatches. But Gonzalez, New England’s top corner, has the length, speed, and instincts to track him wherever he goes.
Still, Sherman doesn’t think the Patriots will rely solely on Gonzalez. He pointed to Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones as potential X-factors in New England’s secondary - players who could quietly tilt the balance if they step up in key moments.
What we’re looking at is a Super Bowl that may not have the marquee quarterback names of years past, but it’s got layers. Redemption.
Legacy. Schematics.
Talent on both sides of the ball. And if Sherman’s right - and let’s be honest, he usually is - we’re in for a tightly contested, physical battle that could come down to the wire.
It might not be the same as that unforgettable finish in the 2014 season - the one Sherman lived through - but don’t be surprised if Super Bowl 60 delivers its own brand of drama. And this time, Sherman will be watching from the sidelines, just like the rest of us.