McDaniels Eyes Redemption Following 29-13 Super Bowl LX Loss to Seahawks

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels takes responsibility for the 29-13 defeat in Super Bowl LX where Drake Maye was sacked six times.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are finalizing preparations for a Wednesday night season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, a rematch of the 29-13 Super Bowl LX defeat in February. During that championship loss, quarterback Drake Maye, the reigning NFL MVP runner-up, was sacked six times as the Seattle defense terrorized the pocket. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels took full accountability for the performance, stating, "I didn't do a good enough job. Point it at me. They 'out-everythinged' us in the game."

Offensive Line Restructuring and Personnel Changes

The Patriots' offensive front features several adjustments following the February loss. Left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson, who both started as rookies in the Super Bowl, remain in the lineup for the 2026 season. Wilson has transitioned to center, his more natural position, while former New York Jets first-round selection Alijah Vera-Tucker has been inserted at left guard. The right side of the unit remains intact from 2025, featuring guard Mike Onwenu and tackle Morgan Moses.

Campbell, who played through the postseason while recovering from a sprained right MCL, earned praise from McDaniels for his offseason development. The coordinator noted that Campbell had a productive spring and training camp, focusing on position-specific improvements. The team plans to travel to Seattle on Monday following a final practice session in Foxborough to acclimate before the midweek kickoff.

Injury Concerns and Roster Depth

New England may face a significant absence in the backfield for the Wednesday night contest. Running back TreVeyon Henderson has been sidelined since August 24 after sustaining an ankle injury during practice. Henderson, who recorded nine rushing touchdowns during the 2025 campaign, serves as a high-speed alternative to primary starter Rhamondre Stevenson. His status remains uncertain as the team transitions from hunting for tactical advantages to executing the specific game plan.

McDaniels emphasized that the season opener presents unique challenges, describing the first quarter as a period of "hunting and pecking" to determine how the opponent intends to play. He acknowledged that the Seahawks, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, will likely reveal new defensive wrinkles that were not visible during the preseason. Neither Maye nor Darnold participated in preseason exhibition games this year, leaving both teams to rely on training camp repetitions and film study from the previous season.

Strategic Adjustments for the Season Opener

Reflecting on the opportunities Seattle exploited last year, McDaniels expressed confidence in the current offensive game plan. He noted that while the Seahawks have added new personnel, the Patriots have also integrated different players to limit the vulnerabilities exposed in February. The coordinator described the upcoming matchup as a "new game" and a "new year," distancing the current roster from the struggles of the previous championship meeting.

Preparation for the Wednesday night game has been described as positive, with McDaniels highlighting a "locked in" mindset among the starters. The team will look to improve upon the 13 points scored in the Super Bowl as they face a Seahawks defense that dominated the line of scrimmage in their last meeting. With the travel scheduled for Monday afternoon, the Patriots aim to finalize their strategy for a game that McDaniels expects to unfold in unpredictable ways during the opening stages.