When the Patriots and Seahawks punched their tickets to Super Bowl 60, the NFL world did what it always does this time of year-start scrambling to reverse-engineer their success. It’s the copycat league at its finest.
But before teams start reshaping their rosters and front offices in the image of New England and Seattle, it’s worth taking a step back. Because in a league where the margins are razor-thin, a bounce here or a blown coverage there, and we could be talking about two entirely different teams playing for the Lombardi Trophy.
So let’s pump the brakes on some of the overreactions already bubbling up and take a closer look at what really got these teams to the big game.
“Just Spend Money!” - Not So Fast
Yes, the Patriots and Seahawks were aggressive spenders last offseason. According to Spotrac data, New England led the league in free agent spending, while Seattle came in fourth. And they weren’t just throwing money around-they brought in impact players who delivered.
The Patriots added defensive lineman Milton Williams (3.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss), veteran receiver Stefon Diggs (1,013 yards, 4 touchdowns), cornerback Carlton Davis (10 pass breakups), and edge rusher Harold Landry (8.5 sacks). Seattle, meanwhile, brought in quarterback Sam Darnold (4,048 yards, 25 TDs, 14 INTs), wideout Cooper Kupp (593 yards, 2 TDs), and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles).
That’s a solid haul for both teams. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about spending big-it’s about when and how you spend. And both teams had a key advantage that made this all possible: cheap quarterback play.
Drake Maye’s rookie cap hit for New England was just $8.3 million, ranking 29th among quarterbacks. Darnold’s $13.4 million hit for Seattle came in at 19th.
That’s the secret sauce. When you’re not shelling out $40-50 million for your signal-caller, you can afford to build around him in a big way.
This isn’t a new trend-it’s been a winning formula for years. Rookie deals or bargain quarterbacks give teams the flexibility to go shopping.
Just ask the Vikings, Giants, Titans, Panthers, Saints, and Cardinals-who all spent big in free agency last year and are currently watching the playoffs from home. Money helps, but it’s only as good as the quarterback situation that allows you to spend it.
“Get a New Coach and You’re Set!” - Not So Simple
Mike Vrabel and Mike Macdonald are both headed to the Super Bowl in their first seasons with new teams. That’s a headline-grabber.
Vrabel took over in New England and immediately turned the ship around. Macdonald, the young defensive mind, brought a new energy to Seattle and got results fast.
It’s tempting to look at those success stories and think the solution is simple: fire your coach, hire a new one, and boom-Super Bowl contender. But that’s a dangerous oversimplification.
Sure, coaching matters. A lot.
And if you know a guy isn’t the answer, you move on. No one’s questioning why the Bears or Broncos made changes.
But this season also saw some eyebrow-raising firings. The Bills, Steelers, and Ravens all parted ways with successful coaches-moves that feel more reactionary than strategic.
If anything, Vrabel’s journey is a case study in why patience sometimes pays off. In six seasons with the Titans, he went 54-45, made three straight playoff appearances, and reached an AFC title game-despite dealing with roster limitations and inconsistent quarterback play.
After Tennessee let him go, they’ve won just six games over two seasons. Vrabel, meanwhile, has led New England to 17 wins (including playoffs) in just one.
Yes, he had two losing seasons before he was fired-but context matters. Injuries, roster turnover, and quarterback instability all played a role.
And for every Vrabel or Macdonald, there’s a long list of new hires who didn’t move the needle. Pete Carroll, Kellen Moore, Aaron Glenn, Jerod Mayo, Raheem Morris, Antonio Pierce, Brian Callahan, Jonathan Gannon, Frank Reich-the list goes on.
The reality is, most coaching hires don’t result in immediate success. That doesn’t mean you don’t try to upgrade, but teams need to look at the full picture-not just cherry-pick the outliers.
“The Trade Deadline Is the Key!” - Sometimes, But Rarely
Seattle’s midseason trade for Rashid Shaheed turned out to be a sneaky-good move. The dynamic return man delivered three return touchdowns-including one in the playoffs-and came up with a massive 51-yard grab in the NFC Championship. That’s a home-run addition.
But let’s not pretend the 2025 trade deadline was some kind of league-wide turning point. In fact, most of the big swings didn’t connect.
The Eagles gave up a third-round pick for a defensive piece when it was their offense that ultimately let them down. The Chargers, desperate for help on the offensive line, still saw Justin Herbert get sacked six times in their playoff exit.
The Cowboys tried to fix their defense after the Micah Parsons trade backfired, but Quinnen Williams couldn’t patch all the holes. The Colts went all-in for Sauce Gardner, but Daniel Jones’ injury derailed their season.
And then there’s New England. Despite having a few roster holes and taking some heat for standing pat, the Patriots actually sold at the deadline-trading away Keion White and Kyle Dugger for late-round pick swaps. It didn’t hurt them one bit.
The lesson? Deadline deals can help, but they’re not a magic bullet.
For every Shaheed, there are several moves that fizzle out or backfire. Building a contender is still about the long game, not just one splashy move in October.
The Bottom Line
There’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint for making the Super Bowl. Yes, the Patriots and Seahawks made some smart moves.
They spent wisely, found value at quarterback, and hired coaches who fit their vision. But they also benefited from timing, player development, health, and a few key plays going their way.
So as teams look to copy the formula, they’d be wise to remember this: context is king. Success in the NFL is rarely about one decision-it’s about making a series of good ones, staying patient when it counts, and knowing when to take a calculated risk.
The Patriots and Seahawks didn’t reinvent the wheel. They just executed their plan better than most-and that’s what got them to Super Bowl Sunday.