The NFL will begin its 2026 season tonight with a rare Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
Coverage will begin at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock with a special edition of Football Night in America, followed by kickoff at 8:20 p.m.
It’s been seven months since the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. In the 25th edition of the midweek Kickoff Game, this will mark only the second Super Bowl rematch. In 2016, the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 21-20
This is also the second time that the Kickoff Game will be played on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will play Thursday in Melbourne, Australia, on Netflix.
Your favorite time of year is calling. 🤳🏈 pic.twitter.com/vifo6tPHmK
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 9, 2026
Follow along below for our live coverage with updates from the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game on NBC and Peacock:
Josh Jobe to NBC’s Kaylee Hartung on his interception on the final drive: “It was game on the line. Fourth quarter. We got to take the ball away, and we did. I just looked for the ball. Find the ball. My mind was on the ball. See ball, get ball.”
Drew Lock to NBC’s Melissa Stark on his mentality replacing Sam Darnold: “Take care of the fooball. I know what kind of defense we have. I know the playmakers we have on the offensive side.
“If I can take care of the football, get it in their hands, don’t turn it over. Win the turnover battle, by the end of the game. I’d like to think we have a pretty good shot at winning. Sure enough, 13-10.”
A lower-scoring game than the Super Bowl LX but with a similar feel and the same result.
New England quarterback Drake May completes 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions.
In relief of injured Seattle QB Sam Darnold, Drew Lock completes 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a TD.
Jaxon Smith Njigba, last year’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year, made eight catches for 122 yards and a TD.
On the defensive side, Ernest Jones IV led Seattle with 13 tackles. Josh Jobe, Julian Love and Nehemiah Pritchett each had interceptions for the Seahawks.
Drake Maye’s third INT of the night was his worst.
With the Patriots in field goal range on a third and 5, Maye heaved the ball toward the end zone off his back foot toward Mack Hollins.
Josh Jobe stepped in front of the lob and got two feet down. Seattle will win 13-10 in the Super Bowl LX rematch.
It’s a career-worst third interception for Maye, who threw two in the Super Bowl.
THAT'S HOW YOU PUT A GAME ON ICE. 🧊 @JoshuaMJobe
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 10, 2026
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/bY2DbJchnq
With 2 minutes left and trailing by 3, Drake Maye and New England converts the second fourth down of an ongoing 15-play drive — an 11-yard pass to Mack Hollins on fourth and 9.
The Patriots are on the Seahawks’ 36 with 1:22 to play as Seattle calls timeout.
Maye made a 5-yard scramble on fourth and 2 on the drive’s fifth play.
Despite another great catch by Cooper Kupp and a nifty scramble by Drew Lock, the Seahawks come up empty in the red zone.
A 26-yard field goal by Jason Myers puts Seattle ahead for the first time at 13-10 with 5:53 left.
One play after a wide-open Romeo Doubs dropped an easy ball for a first down, Drake Maye is picked off again while trying to force a throw on thid and 14.
Seattle will take over on the New England 47 with 9:13 to play in a 10-10 tie.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba broke out of his quiet night with an emphatic play to tie the game at 10.
The Seattle wide receiver took a short pass from Drew Lock and then did the rest on a 45-yard reception, motoring past several helpless Patriots defenders.
It’s tied at 10 with 11:28 left to play.
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA. ALL THE WAY HOME. 🤯
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 10, 2026
📺: NFL Kickoff on NBC & Peacockpic.twitter.com/2fBxVcYggA
Drake Maye goes for the deep ball into double coverage, and the Seahawks make him pay.
Nehemiah Pritchett gets his first career interception after tipping the ball from a deflection by teammate Rodney Thomas for the game’s first turnover.
TIPPED. PICKED. PRITCHETT. 🤩 Nehemiah Pritchett with the CLUTCH interception.
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 10, 2026
📺: NFL Kickoff on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/VsDAKoxYLa
Drake Maye again has the Patriots in rhythm on a seven-play, 37-yard drive as time expires in the third quarter.
As Cris Collinsworth notes, the offensive line performance for the Patriots has been the difference in this game vs. their weak effort in Super Bowl LX.
With 15 minutes to play, New England leads 10-7.
Seattle gets a 30-yard field goal from Jason Myers for its first points of the season, trailing 10-3 with 3:15 left in the third quarter.
The score might be closer, but an illegal shift penalty nullified a TD catch for Cooper Kupp, and Drew Lock was unable to connect in the end zone with Jaxon Smith-Njigba under pressure on the next play.
He might not be the center of the offense as he was for the Los Angeles Rams, but Cooper Kupp still has it.
The 24-yard circus catch on third and 4 puts the Seahawks in the red zone on the Patriots’ 13.
Coop with the one-handed, 24-yard catch 🔥
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 10, 2026
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/5xuK994DRI
One of the bright spots for the Seahawks has been linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, who also made the game-winning touchdown interception in Super Bowl XL.
Have a day, @UchennaN_42 💪 https://t.co/4Tf4rgwjIk
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 10, 2026
Nwosu had a memorable journey to his star turn on the NFL’s biggest stage.
As part of NBC Sports’ By Way of Africa series, Mary Omatiga talked to Nwosu (whose name means “God’s will”) about how his Nigerian roots and his parents’ sacrifices shaped the resilience that helped him reach Seattle.
After pinning the Patriots deep and then forcing a delay of game penalty, the Seahawks take advantage of a short punt.
A 9-yard return by Rashid Shaheed will start the Seattle drive from the New England 43, and a chance for Drew Lock to finally put up some points.
NBC’s Melissa Stark reports that A.J. Brown is questionable to return for New England. The newly acquired wide receiver suffered a right ankle injury diving for a grab and limped off to the medical tent.
Andres Borregales capped a nine-play, 24-yard drive with a 50-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 10-0 lead.
With a 7-0 lead through two quarters, New England coach Mike Vrabel has been pleased by the protection of quarterback Drake Maye by a retooled offensive line.
“We’ve given him some opportunities,” Vrabel told NBC’s Melissa Stark. “Drake’s helped us out scrambling a little bit. WE need to be able to run the football a little more consistently to stay out of some second and longs.”
Stark asked how Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold’s absence would impact the Patriots.
“It really doesn’t,” Vrabel said. “We’re going to have to stop the run and find a way to get a turnover in the second half.”
The halftime odds courtesy of DraftKings:
- Seattle Seahawks (+371)
- New England Patriots (-530)
- Spread: Patriots -7.5
- Total: 26.5
The Patriots take a 7-0 halftime lead into the locker room, and they won’t be facing Sam Darnold in the second half.
The Seattle quarterback who beat New England in the Super Bowl has been ruled out of the game with a hip injury.
Drew Lock has completed 6 of 8 passes for 51 yards in relief of Darnold.
“We have faith in Drew,” Mike Macdonald told NBC’s Kaylee Hartung. “He’s settled into the game now. So we should be able to execute our game plan.”
Rookie running back Jadarian Price has also been a bright spot for Seattle.
First action of Jadarian Price's NFL career. pic.twitter.com/KZRxM490iQ
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 10, 2026
A pass interference penalty on a 34-yard attempted flea-flicker to A.J. Brown puts the Patriots on the Seahawks’ 2-yard line.
Drake Maye connects with Eli Raridon on the next play for a touchdown that puts New England ahead 7-0. It’s the first reception and TD of Raridon’s career.
Per DraftKings, the odds for Eli Raridon to score the first TD: +7000.
First NFL catch, first NFL TD @EliRaridon!!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 10, 2026
📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/M9ZmApdGAt
A modest opening for the Seahawks and Patriots that probably frustrated many fantasy team owners.
The Patriots have managed 26 rushing yards on 10 carries between Rhamondre Stevenson and Drake Maye, who has completed only 2 of 3 passes for 16 yards.
The Seahawks’ bright spot is rookie running back Jadarian Price, who has 34 yards on five carries. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has the team’s only two catches, one apiece from Sam Darnold and backup Drew Lock (who might be in the rest of the night).
The Super Bowl was mostly an ugly struggle, and this is shaping up the same way.
Done with one. pic.twitter.com/aHDz18QqCY
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 10, 2026
First quarter. pic.twitter.com/1NZXIXzofr
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 10, 2026
Not much progress for either team’s offense so far.
Four punts and no score with 1:28 left in the first quarter.
But A.J. Brown does have his first catch for New England.
A.J. Brown's first catch as a Patriot
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2026
NEvsSEA on NBC/Peacock
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/bd9wfhNu5K
With the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning quarterback having been hurt by a sack on the opening drive, Drew Lock has subbed on in place of Sam Darnold for Seattle.
NBC’s Kaylee Hartung reports Darnold is heading to the X-ray room and is questionable to return with a hip injury.
Kaylee Hartung gives an update on the status of Sam Darnold.
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 10, 2026
📺 NFL Kickoff on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/CGG2F8TT4b
The Seahawks might want to keep it on the ground anyway: They gained 22 yards on their first two carries.
A big-time SACK to end the first drive of the 2026 season.
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 10, 2026
📷 NFL Kickoff on NBC and Peacockpic.twitter.com/n3FW8bBscw
After a sack on the opening drive, Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold is now in the Seahawks’ injury tent after limping off the field.
Sam Darnold limps off after being sacked on third and 6 near midfield, and the Patriots will take over after a punt inside their 10.
Jadarian Price's first NFL carry is a first down run 😤
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2026
NEvsSEA on NBC/Peacock
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/yOYyNt2whh
On his first carry, Seattle rookie running back Jadarian Price rumbles 13 yards for a first down.
Rookie debut 😤 @Jadarian15 pic.twitter.com/an3guyrA5g
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 9, 2026
In the city whose most famous guitarist is known for an epic rendition of the national anthem, Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready just ripped off a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that evoked Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock.
As the Seattle Seahawks prepare to unfurl their second championship banner, the team is remembering how it won the first with two stars of its “Legion of Boom” defense.
Kam Chancellor, nicknamed “Bam Bam Kam” as a safety known for his ferocious hits, introduced the Seahawks and helped emcee the banner ceremony.
12s, this one's for you. You're Super Bowl LX Champions ‼️
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 10, 2026
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/6haMKdCU0v
Richard Sherman, the trash-talking cornerback, handled raising the team’s 12 Flag and also made the rounds with fans and the mascot on the field.
Just two legends 😮💨 @BlitzTheSeahawk @RSherman_25 pic.twitter.com/Ru4B6eeyRs
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 9, 2026
Courtesy of DraftKings, here are the odds for kickoff of the s2026 eason opener between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks (who are favored at home):
- Seattle Seahawks (-166)
- New England Patriots (+140)
- Spread: Seahawks -3
- Total: 44.5
Less than 20 minutes from the 2026 NFL season beginning in Seattle.
The view for Mike & Cris as the Patriots face the Seahawks in the NFL Kickoff Game.
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) September 9, 2026
Live coverage NOW on NBC & Peacock. pic.twitter.com/n1ZRzcvuoG
Some can barely contain their emotions
This young fan couldn't hide his excitement over getting JSN and Sam Darnold's autograph 🗣️
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2026
NEvsSEA – 8:20pm ET on NBC/Peacock
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0A0F3vy3P0
Seattle’s Mike Macdonald, the third-youngest coach to win a Super Bowl, has young son Jack on hand tonight — just as when the Seahawks won the championship in February.
Mike Macdonald with a pregame hello from his biggest little fan. 💙
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 9, 2026
📺 NFL Kickoff on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/q8wlFZKrk2
Here’s what the Football Night in America team had to say about the Patriots and Seahawks ahead of tonight’s kickoff:
The FNIA team talks about how the Seahawks look to defend the Super Bowl title.
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 9, 2026
📺: NFL Kickoff on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/jNNLRPqPdT
"There's some real tangible reasons why they're going to be better." 🗣️
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 9, 2026
Mike Tomlin breaks down the Patriots' offseason moves.
📺 NFL Kickoff on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/VODYcFgZZ5
There definitely is an opening day vibe at Lumen Field with sharp cuts, crisp moves and smiles everywhere in warmups.
Before the lights. @jaxon_smith1 @RashidShaheed pic.twitter.com/bT2kMCRKHb
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 9, 2026
Week 1 got us feelin' like: pic.twitter.com/wBIXmxBUrv
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 9, 2026
It's about us 😤 pic.twitter.com/hiulnmBcm3
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2026
The NFL Kickoff Special has begun on NBC and Peacock with Maria Taylor, Mike Tomlin, Jason Garrett, Devin McCourty and Mike Florio.
The pregame show will lead into the season opener between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, kicking off at 8:20 p.m. ET.
The announcing team will feature Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst) and sideline reporters Melissa Stark and Kaylee Hartung. Terry McAulay is the rules analyst.
The Race to Wednesday is COMPLETE! 🙌
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 9, 2026
📺 NFL Kickoff - 7 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/6TMQpDn8WJ
The Patriots and Seahawks have released their inactive lists 90 minutes ahead of the season opener.
New England: CB Karon Prunty, RB Treveyon Henderson, OLB Erick Hunter, T Walter Rouse, C Ben Brown, WR Efton Chism. Behren Morton is the emergency third quarterback.
Seattle: S Nick Emmanwori, G Beau Stephens, TE, Nick Kallerup, WR Tory Horton, DE Mike Morris, S Ty Okada. Jalen Milroe is the emergency third quarterback.
Patriots inactives for NE vs. SEA. pic.twitter.com/8OAbjk3e1I
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2026
Tonight’s @Seahawks inactives: QB Jalen Milroe will serve as the emergency 3rd quarterback. pic.twitter.com/axFzYjlpvQ
— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) September 9, 2026
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald calls the plays for Seattle’s vaunted “Dark Side” unit, which led the NFL in scoring defense (17.2 points allowed per game).
It was the first time the Seahawks’ defense led the league in that category since the 2012-15 run for the legendary “Legion of Boom” that made consecutive Super Bowl appearances in 2014-15.
The Seahawks have extended three key defensive players: CB Devon Witherspoon (who signed a four-year, $132 million deal to briefly become the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history), DT Leonard Williams (tied for team lead with seven sacks) and LB Derick Hall (who had two sacks in the Super Bowl win over New England. Starting CB Josh Jobe also re-signed to a three-year, $24 million contract
Other key returnees: LB Ernest Jones IV (team-leading 126 tackles and five interceptions), DT Byron Murphy II (seven sacks in the regular season, two in the Super Bowl).
The Seahawks lost DE Boye Mafe (Cincinnati), S Coby Bryant (Chicago) and CB Riq Woolen (Philadelphia) in free agency.
, who was a first-round pick by Seattle in
A few tweaks to keep in mind as the season begins tonight that are new for 2026:
- NFL head coaches can now designate an assistant to throw the challenge flag during games, but they will need to let the officiating crew know before the game (Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he plans to keep his challenge flag).
- Players will face a one-game suspension if they accumulate three of the following penalties: a hip drop tackle; a horse collar tackle; launching; a hit on a defenseless player; blindside block.
- Violations in each category will carry over into subsequent seasons, but players will start 2026 with a clean slate.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a quiet Super Bowl (four catches, 27 yards), but the 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year was still handsomely rewarded as the Seahawks’ major offensive threat.
Smith-Njigba became the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history, signing a four-year, $168.6-million contract extension. He is the fourth-highest paid non-quarterback in the league.
Last year, Smith-Njigba led the league with a Seattle-record 1,793 receiving yards (eighth most in NFL history) and also set a franchise record with 119 receptions (fourth in NFL) with 10 touchdowns.
Here are some of the key players on the injury report for the Patriots and Seahawks ahead of tonight’s Super Bowl rematch:
- Out: New England OL Ben Brown out (knee)
- Questionable: RB Treyveon Henderson (ankle), Seattle S Nick Emmanwori (ankle), Seattle S Ty Okada (hamstring), Seattle WR Tory Horton (hamstring), Seattle OT Josh Jones (knee)
After signing a three-year, $100.5-million to join the Seahawks last season, Sam Darnold backed up the big money by leading Seattle to its second Super Bowl championship.
Darnold, who became the first quarterback in NFL history to win 14 games in consecutive seasons with different teams (Minnesota in 2024), threw 25 touchdowns with 4,048 passing yards and a fifth-ranked completion percentage (67.7%) But he also led the NFL with 20 turnovers (14 interceptions, six fumbles) and completed only 19 of 38 passes for 202 yards in the Super Bowl.
“Sam doesn’t care about the obstacles,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said after the Super Bowl win. “Everybody’s made a narrative about this guy. They have tried to put a story and a label on who he is as a person, who he is as a quarterback. He does not care. He’s the same guy every day since he showed up … All he’s done since he’s walked in the door is be a tremendous player on our football team and a tremendous leader who’s the same every day. That’s who he is, and that’s how we need to talk about him moving forward.”
The Patriots’ defense got some good news this week as star Christian Gonzalez agreed to a new four-year, $135 million deal ($102 million guaranteed) that made him the highest-paid cornerback in league history.
During the offseason, the Patriots also added safety Kevin Byard, a first-team All-Pro who led the NFL with seven interceptions for the Chicago Bears last year.
Gonzalez’s re-signing comes a year after New England spent big on its defense, signing DT Milton Williams to a four-year, $104 million contract and also signing linebackers Harold Landry (team-high 8.5 sacks) and Robert Spillane (team-high 97 tackles).
Landry will miss at least the first four games after offseason surgery.
New England’s defense made massive strides last season, becoming the first team since the 2000 Ravens to hold opponents to 16 points or fewer in three consecutive playoff games in a single season. The Super Bowl put a damper on the run as the Patriots allowed 29 points after conceding only 26 points total in the first three playoff games.
Zak Kuhr, the inside linebacker coach for New England last year, is the team’s new defensive coordinator this season. Kuhr called all of the Patriots’ defensive plays after the first week of last season when former DC Terrell Williams stepped away because of a prostate cancer diagnosis. Williams, who was declared cancer-free during the playoffs and traveled to the Super Bowl, will be an assistant head coach
Coverage of the season opener will begin at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock with the NFL Kickoff Special featuring host Maria Taylor with Mike Tomlin, Jason Garrett, Devin McCourty and Mike Florio.
Kickoff is slated for 8:20 p.m.
It’s beautiful.
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2026
NEvsSEA – 8:20pm ET on NBC/Peacock
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/hdsCB41lvN
The new ownership of the Seattle Seahawks made a little news Wednesday before their season opener.
Seahawks vice-chairman Neal Khosla announced the Seahawks will don a white throwback uniform for 2027. The Seahawks have been wearing their blue throwbacks since 2023 and will have them for three games this season.
Time for all the Steve Largent and Jim Zorn fans to get fired up.
White Throwback Uniforms return in 2027.
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 9, 2026
Read more » https://t.co/c45TBze8wB pic.twitter.com/whxxDxlu1o
A Super Bowl defeat dulled a little of the shine left by Drake Maye in a remarkable second season.
The New England quarterback finished second in MVP voting to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, losing by one first-place vote in the closest MVP race since 2003 when Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared the award.
Last year, Maye led the NFL in completion percentage, yards per pass attempt, and passer rating. He became the first player under 23 years old to lead the NFL in completion percentage since John Brodie for San Francisco in 1958.
But struggling behind an inexperienced offensive line, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had multiple turnovers in three of four playoff games after only three regular-season games with multiple turnovers. Two interceptions and a fumble in the Super Bowl was a career high in turnovers for Maye.
The last time the Seahawks won a Super Bowl in 2014, they came literally a few feet away from repeating.
Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception of Russell Wilson in the final minute of Seattle’s 28-24 loss to New England is undoubtedly on the minds of Seahawks fans as another repeat bid begins — which coach Mike Macdonald is
“We’re using the term, we want to run it forward,” Macdonald said. "''It’ meaning our process and who we are… The way I phrase it to the team is, it’s something that could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – hopefully it’s more than once in a lifetime for our team – but that’s a thing that happened that we can cherish and we should be proud of because of the amount of work that it took and all the things that go into winning a Super Bowl. But I think the thing that we find the joy in is what we’ve created and the way of life, what we’re trying to do here on a daily basis.”
The Seahawks will have some extra motivation: Despite a 14-3 record last season, Seattle is listed behind the Los Angeles Rams on the list of favorites to win the NFC West this year. Last year, the Seahawks lost to the Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the regular season but beat both in the playoffs to reach the Super Bowl.
“I think I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little extra motivation from hearing that type of stuff,” Seattle defensive lineman Leonard Williams said. “There’s extra chips on our shoulder. We just came off of a Super Bowl-winning season. People are still giving other people favorites over us.”
Uchenna Nwosu, the Seahawks linebacker who made the game-winning touchdown interception in Super Bowl XL, had a memorable journey to his star turn on the NFL’s biggest stage.
As part of NBC Sports’ By Way of Africa series, Mary Omatiga talked to Nwosu (whose name means “God’s will”) about how his Nigerian roots and his parents’ sacrifices shaped the resilience that helped him reach Seattle.
“My parents could have named me anything, but they named me Uchenna because I am God’s will,” he said.
“What I’ve gone through is a testament to what God has done in my life and my family’s life. He’s blessed me and put me in positions to be successful far beyond my imagination. I’m definitely thankful for that. Nigerian heritage is very important to me, and I’ll always wear it as a heavy crown.”
You can read more of their conversation here:
It’s been a tumultuous offseason for the Patriots and head coach Mike Vrabel, who was embroiled in controversy after photos were published with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Vrabel left the team for the final day of the NFL Draft to spend time with family while seeking counseling.
The Patriots released a statement in April that they “fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being. Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment.”
Asked what he learned from counseling, Vrabel said last month: “I think we always look at improvement. As we talk about getting ready for the next season, we always look at improvement and ways that we can improve individually and how we can improve as a team. It’s really critical that we continue to do that on and off the field…”
Any in-season distractions could derail the Patriots, who have the sixth-toughest schedule based on opponents’ winning percentage last season (.531). That’s in contrast to last year when New England’s opponents had a winning percentage of .391 — marking the team’s easiest regular-season schedule since 1999.
In this video, Mike Florio and Chris Simms discuss how New England will manage the repercussions of a tumultuous offseason and what a slow start could mean for the team in Vrabel’s second season:
The Lumen Field walk-ins to the locker room have begun, and the NFL social media account has the arrivals covered:
A.J. Brown's @Patriots debut 🔜
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2026
NEvsSEA – 8:20pm ET on NBC/Peacock
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/c7L9I52JWy
Week 1 QB1 pic.twitter.com/6ruwnKimvZ
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 9, 2026
.@CooperKupp ready for Year 10
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2026
NEvsSEA – 8:20pm ET on NBC/Peacock
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2L1It70o4s
The highest-paid CB in the league is in the building 💰 @chrisgonzo28
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2026
NEvsSEA – 8:20pm ET on NBC/Peacock
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Zowca9J4l7
Sam Darnold and Drew Lock are in the building 👀
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2026
NEvsSEA – 8:20pm ET on NBC/Peacock
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/A8BjtH9nEg
After winning the Super Bowl in his first and only season as Seattle’s offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak left to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Seahawks named Brian Fleury as Kubiak’s replacement. It’s the first time that Fleury has been an offensive coordinator at any level of football, and he becomes the third offensive coordinator in three seasons under head coach Mike Macdonald (who had Ryan Grubb as the OC in 2024).
The Seahawks ranked third in scoring (28.4 points per game) and eighth in total offense (351.4 yards per game). Fleury, who was the 49ers’ tight end coach for the last four of his seven seasons on Kyle Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco, has worked previously with Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold.
Here’s more on the transition:
New England made the Super Bowl, but the playoffs revealed some major weaknesses in the offensive line for quarterback Drake Maye.
Maye was sacked an NFL record 21 times (including six in the Super Bowl) as his completion percentage (58.3%) and yards per attempt (6.9) plummeted in the postseason.
The Patriots signed new starting left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker from the New York Jets in a three-year, $42 million deal. Tucker, a first-round pick by the Jets in 2021, missed last season with a torn triceps after injuries kept him out of most of the 2022-23 seasons.
New England also traded up in the draft to pick Utah OT Caleb Lomu with the 28th overall pick. It’s the first time in franchise history that New England selected offensive tackles in the first round of consecutive drafts. Last year, the Patriots took left tackle Will Campbell fourth overall.
The starting offensive line is expected to include four of its five starters from last season’s Super Bowl: Campbell, Jared Wilson (who started at left guard in the Super Bowl), right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Morgan Moses. Wilson, a third-round pick last year, and Campbell were the first pair of rookies to start on the same offensive line in a Super Bowl. Wilson slides into the center spot to replace Garrett Bradbury, who started every game last season, and was traded to the Bears in March.
More below on the Patriots’ retooled offensive line:
NBC Sports betting expert Vaughn Dalzell breaks down tonight’s game for betting trends and stats:
In the video below, Trysta Krick and Jay Croucher highly recommend the under on the 44.5 point total:
Much has happened in the Seattle backfield since Seattle’s Super Bowl victory.
Kenneth Walker III, who was named Super Bowl MVP after rushing for 135 yards against the Patriots, signed a three-year, $43-million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jadarian Price plays football today 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DUSLGjvmVQ
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 9, 2026
The Seahawks took Jadarian Price in the first round of the NFL Draft, and the rookie from Notre Dame could see a lot of work to begin his first season. Zach Charbonnet, who teamed with Walker last year to provide Seattle with a dual threat, is recovering from an ACL injury in the divisional round playoff win over San Francisco.
Charbonnet, who had career highs in carries (184), rushing yards (730) and TDs (12, 10 from 6 yards or fewer) will miss at least the first four games.
Jadarian Price WOULD NOT GO DOWN on the way to the end zone. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/vvrKQmfrXd
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 4, 2025
New England spent the offseason shoring up its wide receiver corps.
The Patriots acquired A.J. Brown from Philadelphia and signed free agent Romeo Doubs. Brown, who has at least 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in each of the past four seasons, is expected to fill the shoes of Stefon Diggs, who was released after becoming New England’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 2019.
Check out this analysis from Mike Florio and Chris Simms on the wideouts’ potential impact:
The last time these teams met, it was for major stakes: the NFL championship.
The Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13 on Feb. 8 for their second title. If you’d like to recall the stats from that game, click here for the full 17-page book that covers everything that happened.
All the individual and team stats, all the drive summaries, play by play, lineups and miscellaneous stats in this full statistical book.
And if you’d prefer to recall some of the highlights and big moments, here’s our live blog on the big game from seven months ago: