When the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots take the field for Super Bowl 60, it might feel like déjà vu for fans who remember their epic clash in the 2014 season’s title game. But don’t let the helmets fool you-this isn’t a rematch. Not even close.
Sure, the logos are the same, and technically it’s the same franchises squaring off. But the DNA of both teams has been completely rewritten.
Seattle’s longtime general manager John Schneider is still in the building, but the roster and leadership around him have undergone a full transformation. Gone are the days of the Legion of Boom, Marshawn Lynch bulldozing defenders, and Russell Wilson orchestrating late-game heroics.
Pete Carroll, the energetic coach who helped guide Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014, is no longer patrolling the sidelines. And Wilson?
He’s likely played his last down for his third team since leaving the Pacific Northwest.
New England, of course, is also far removed from its dynastic core. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick-arguably the greatest quarterback-coach tandem in NFL history-aren’t part of this Super Bowl run. This version of the Patriots is built on a new foundation, with fresh faces and a different identity.
So when rookie left guard Grey Zabel was asked during Super Bowl Opening Night whether this was a “normal game” or a “rematch,” his answer cut through the noise with clarity and poise.
“I wouldn’t consider it a rematch,” Zabel said. “Two completely different teams, two completely different coaching staffs, and we’re just excited to be here.”
And he’s absolutely right. This isn’t about reliving old wounds or rewriting history. It’s about two organizations that have rebuilt, retooled, and clawed their way back to the NFL’s biggest stage.
Zabel’s response also tells you a lot about who he is-not just a rookie, but a player who already carries himself like a veteran. His maturity has been evident all season, and his impact on the Seahawks' offensive line has been undeniable.
Seattle’s front office, typically conservative when it comes to drafting interior linemen early, made an exception with Zabel-and it’s paid off in a big way. He’s been a cornerstone of a much-improved unit, giving the Seahawks the kind of stability up front they’ve been chasing for years.
And while Zabel didn’t take the bait on the “normal game” question, it’s worth noting: there’s nothing normal about the Super Bowl. The media frenzy, the national spotlight, the pressure-it’s a different animal.
But the best teams, and the best players, treat it like just another Sunday. That’s how they stay grounded.
That’s how they execute.
Zabel’s perspective reflects a locker room that’s focused, not flustered. These Seahawks aren’t haunted by what happened at the goal line in Super Bowl XLIX.
They weren’t there. They’re not carrying that baggage.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to write their own chapter against the Patriots.
If there’s any lingering edge to this matchup, it’s not about revenge-it’s about legacy. Seattle and New England are both chasing a new era of success, and only one will walk away with the Lombardi Trophy.
So call it what you want. Just don’t call it a rematch.