Inside the Patriots’ Super Bowl Week: Injuries, Vibes, and a Whole Lot of Chess
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Super Bowl week is always a whirlwind, but for the Patriots, things are starting to settle into a rhythm - at least as much as they can when the biggest game of the year is just days away. Media availability wrapped up Thursday, and you can bet there were more than a few players happy to see the microphones go quiet.
The NFL gives players a bit of a break during Super Bowl week - interviews only run from Monday through Thursday. That’s a change from the usual Wednesday-to-Friday schedule during the regular season. And by Friday, players are usually itching to get out of the building, not fielding questions about zone coverages and injury updates.
Let’s rewind to Wednesday night, when the injury reports rolled in late. The Patriots' update was about what you'd expect.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye was a full participant in practice, a good sign for New England fans keeping tabs on his shoulder. Linebacker Robert Spillane didn’t practice, and in a nod to the franchise’s past and present, the Kraft family and former wideout Julian Edelman were spotted at practice.
But the bigger news came from the Seahawks’ camp. Rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered an ankle injury during a passing drill.
It wasn’t just a tweak - he came down awkwardly after going up for a ball. If he’s sidelined or even limited, that’s a major hit to Seattle’s secondary.
Emmanwori’s been a rising star all season, and his absence could shift the dynamics of this matchup.
By Thursday morning, the Patriots were back in front of the cameras and recorders. Head coach Mike Vrabel opened things up with a press conference, then it was Drake Maye’s turn to talk.
Vrabel, always good for a candid moment, was asked about his sports idols growing up. His answer? A mix of hardwood legends and gridiron grit.
“I was a basketball player. I liked Moses Malone.
I liked Charles Barkley,” Vrabel said. “I always tell Charles he was one of my favorite basketball players.
I liked Bernie Kosar. Just a big sports family that did a lot of things.”
Maye, smiling through the media circus, gave a positive update on his shoulder.
“I’m not trying to lie to you guys,” he said with a grin. “I’m saying I’m feeling great.”
After that, it was podium time for 10 players, while the rest of the roster and coaching staff were stationed at tables around the room. Among the featured names: center Garrett Bradbury, linebacker Jack Gibbens, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, tight end Hunter Henry, linebacker Anfernee Jennings, edge rusher Harold Landry III, right guard Mike Onwenu, linebacker Robert Spillane, defensive tackle Milton Williams, and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Diggs showed some local love, rocking a Red Sox hat. Wideout Mack Hollins, always one to keep things interesting, brought a chess board and challenged reporters to matches mid-interview. Yes, seriously - football questions and checkmates in the same breath.
Around the room, there was a mix of business and bonding. Gibbens, Henry, quarterback Joshua Dobbs, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, defensive tackle Cory Durden, tight end Austin Hooper, running back Rhamondre Stevenson, safety/special teamer Brenden Schooler, fullback Jack Westover, and linebacker Bradyn Swinson were all available to chat.
Swinson, who grew up in Atlanta, recalled his most painful Super Bowl memory - and ironically, it involved the team he now plays for.
“Probably the Patriots beating the Falcons,” he said. “I’m from Atlanta.
I had my whole outfit laid out on the bed when it was 28-3. Then it ended quick.
Tom Brady ended it quick. That’s probably the worst memory I have about the Super Bowl right there.
That ruined my whole day.”
Now that he’s wearing a Patriots jersey?
“Yeah, this uniform means a lot. It comes with a lot.
The city of Boston itself is just the city of champions. If you wear this, you’re representing like a Roman Empire.
It’s representing a lot of good things.”
That sentiment echoed around the room - players soaking in the moment, reflecting on the journey, and sharing the kind of stories that don’t show up in the box score.
Take Brenden Schooler, for example. On the team’s day off, he and a few teammates - linebacker Jack Gibbens, punter Bryce Baringer, and long snapper Julian Ashby - took a trip to Half Moon Bay.
“Got to go on the beach, jump in the water, throw the football around on the sand, order Mexican food, eat on the balcony, watching the sunset,” Schooler said. “So, being able to share moments like that with the guys who I’m close with on the team. We’re not gonna ever forget those kind of moments.”
That’s the other side of Super Bowl week. Yes, there’s game-planning, press conferences, and injury reports. But there are also quiet moments - bonding over tacos, beach football, and sunsets - that help build the kind of chemistry teams need when the lights come on Sunday night.
The Patriots’ media day was just one stop on a busy Thursday. After wrapping interviews, some of the team’s media crew made a quick trip to Radio Row - the buzzing epicenter of Super Bowl week, where current stars, legends, and even pro wrestlers all collide.
Among the familiar faces spotted: former Patriots lineman Ted Karras and cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan - all Super Bowl champions in their own right. NFL stars like Justin Jefferson, Jameis Winston, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Trevor Lawrence were also in the mix. And for fans of the squared circle, Seth Rollins, MJF, Orange Cassidy, and the Bella Twins were making their rounds.
With the media frenzy now behind them, the Patriots can focus solely on the task ahead. The distractions are fading.
The game plan is set. And in a few days, it’s all about what happens between the lines.
Super Bowl LX is almost here.