Seattle’s Redemption Arc Is Just Getting Started - And It Could Be Historic
The confetti was still swirling in the air at Allegiant Stadium when the whispers started. Seattle had just watched Sam Darnold - yes, that Sam Darnold - lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl 60 victory over the Patriots, a full-circle moment 11 years in the making.
For a fanbase still haunted by the heartbreak of Super Bowl XLIX, this win wasn’t just about a trophy. It was about redemption.
And it might only be the beginning.
Because if the early signs are any indication, 2026 could go down as the most unforgettable year in Seattle sports history.
The Sonics’ Return? It’s in Play.
Moments after the Seahawks’ championship celebration kicked off, news broke that could send another jolt through the Emerald City’s sports scene: The NBA is reportedly preparing to vote on expansion this summer, with Seattle and Las Vegas as the frontrunners.
That’s right - the long-awaited return of the Seattle SuperSonics may finally be on the horizon.
It’s been 18 years since the Sonics were relocated to Oklahoma City, a move that still stings for many Seattle fans. The franchise that became the Thunder just won its first NBA title, pouring a little extra salt in the wound. But now, the NBA seems ready to make things right, and Seattle is in prime position to reclaim its place on the hardwood.
A Sonics revival wouldn’t just be a symbolic win - it would be a full-circle moment of justice for a city that never stopped believing. And it would be the second chapter in what’s shaping up to be a three-part redemption story.
Could the Mariners Be Next?
Chapter three? That’s where things get really interesting. Because if there’s one thing that could top a Seahawks Super Bowl and the return of the Sonics, it’s this: the Seattle Mariners - the only MLB franchise never to reach the World Series - finally breaking through.
And heading into 2026, that dream is more alive than ever.
The Mariners had a strong offseason, locking up first baseman Josh Naylor and pulling off a savvy three-team trade to land All-Star utility man Brendan Donovan. Those moves, combined with a roster that’s already built to compete, have pushed expectations sky-high. According to Fangraphs, Seattle enters spring training with the best World Series odds in the American League at 7.8%.
This isn’t just blind optimism. This team is built to win, and they’re carrying the weight of a city that’s been waiting five decades for a chance to celebrate on baseball’s biggest stage.
A Little Bit of Karma?
If you’re into sports symmetry, here’s something to chew on: The Mariners came heartbreakingly close in 2025, falling in Game 7 of the ALCS after a crushing late-inning homer by the Blue Jays. Sound familiar?
It should. Back in 2003, the Red Sox lost Game 7 of the ALCS on a walk-off homer.
A year later, they broke the Curse of the Bambino and won it all. Oh, and in that same year - 2004 - the Patriots also won the Super Bowl.
The last time a city won both the NFL and MLB titles in the same year? Boston, 2004.
Seattle? You’re on the clock.
Alex Mayer, the Mariners’ director of baseball communications and a well-known stats savant, pointed out that eerie parallel. And while karma alone won’t win a championship, it’s hard not to feel like the stars are aligning for something special.
The Year Seattle Takes Center Stage
So here we are - one championship in the books, another team on the verge of returning, and a third with its best shot yet at making history.
This isn’t just about sports. It’s about a city reclaiming its identity.
For years, Seattle has been a passionate, loyal, and at times heartbroken sports town. But in 2026, it might finally get the storybook ending - or rather, the storybook year - it’s been waiting for.
The Seahawks have already delivered. The Sonics could be next. And if the Mariners can finish what they started, Seattle won’t just be the center of the sports universe - it’ll be the epicenter of one of the greatest redemption arcs we’ve ever seen.
Buckle up. This might just be Seattle’s year.