The road to Super Bowl LX has officially shifted to the West Coast. On Sunday morning, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks bid farewell to their home crowds in high-energy sendoffs, boarding flights bound for the San Francisco Bay Area and a date with destiny at Levi's Stadium on February 8. But as the teams touch down in Santa Clara, a cloud of uncertainty hovers over the AFC champions: the health of rookie sensation Drake Maye.
Patriots Rally at Gillette: Dropkick Murphys and Dynasty Dreams
Foxborough was electric Sunday morning as tens of thousands of fans packed Gillette Stadium for a massive sendoff rally. Despite the winter chill, the atmosphere was red-hot, fueled by a blistering performance from Boston punk-rock legends the Dropkick Murphys. The band set the tone for a franchise looking to capture its seventh Lombardi Trophy and kickstart a new dynasty under head coach Mike Vrabel.
"We appreciate you guys being out here," Vrabel told the roaring crowd, standing alongside team captains. "We're going out there to do one job, and that's to bring that trophy back to Foxborough." The rally, which kicked off at 9:30 a.m. ET, served as the final boost of adrenaline before the team boarded buses for T.F. Green Airport. However, amidst the celebration, eagle-eyed fans and reporters were looking for one thing: signs of discomfort in their quarterback.
Drake Maye Injury Update: The 'Questionable' Status Explained
While the mood was festive, the official injury report remains a source of anxiety for New England. Drake Maye, the second-year signal-caller who has revitalized the franchise, is officially listed as questionable for Super Bowl LX. Maye missed Friday's practice entirely, dealing with a combination of a lingering right shoulder injury and an illness that swept through the locker room late in the week.
"I'm feeling good," Maye insisted during a brief media availability, though he admitted he is working around the clock to get back to 100%. "It's the Super Bowl. You do whatever you have to do to be out there."
Coach Vrabel has publicly downplayed the severity of the situation, suggesting that if it weren't for the illness, Maye would have likely been a limited participant in Friday's session. Still, the sight of the team's MVP candidate nursing a throwing shoulder just a week before the biggest game of his life is the primary storyline greeting the Patriots as they arrive in San Jose this evening.
Seahawks Depart: 'We Did Not Care' Becomes a Rallying Cry
On the other side of the bracket, the Seattle Seahawks departed the Pacific Northwest with a clean bill of health and a chip on their shoulder. Following their own raucous "Blue Friday" festivities earlier in the weekend—which included a boat parade on Lake Union—the team boarded their charter flight Sunday with a loose, confident vibe that has defined their playoff run.
Head coach Mike Macdonald has instilled a fearless mentality in his squad, best encapsulated by his viral quote following the NFC Championship victory over the Rams: "We did not care." That phrase has quickly become the mantra for the 12th Man, printed on t-shirts and chanted by fans as the buses rolled out. Unlike their opponents, the Seahawks have no major injury concerns at the most critical position.
The Sam Darnold Redemption Arc
Quarterback Sam Darnold, whose career resurgence is the feel-good story of the 2025 season, heads to Santa Clara fully cleared after a brief oblique scare two weeks ago. The "Ginger Cuz"—as he's affectionately known by the fanbase—has thrown for over 4,000 yards this season and is looking to become the first USC quarterback to ever start and win a Super Bowl. His steady hand and the team's "next man up" resilience provide a stark contrast to the medical drama unfolding in the Patriots' camp.
Arrival in the Bay Area: The Week Ahead
Both teams are scheduled to land in the Bay Area by Sunday evening, with the Patriots touching down in San Jose around 6:30 p.m. PT. They will immediately transition into media mode, with "Super Bowl Opening Night" set to kick off the festivities on Monday at the SAP Center. This will be the first time Maye faces the national press corps since his questionable designation, and all eyes will be on his right arm.
With kickoff at Levi's Stadium just seven days away, the countdown to Super Bowl LX has begun in earnest. For New England, the clock is ticking on their quarterback's recovery. For Seattle, it's about maintaining the momentum that has them on the brink of their second world championship. The travel is over; the business trip has officially begun.
