In the lead-up to Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 6, 2026, former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick analyzed the performances of both Sam Darnold, quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, and Drake Maye, quarterback for the New England Patriots. Fitzpatrick, serving as a panelist on Amazon Prime Video's 'Thursday Night Football,' highlighted Darnold's recent play, noting that he was in excellent form going into the championship game, benefiting from a strong performance in the playoffs compared to Maye's struggles. Despite some ups and downs throughout Darnold's career, including his tumultuous tenure with the New York Jets, Fitzpatrick pointed out the momentum that Darnold and the Seahawks carried into this matchup, especially after a standout performance against the San Francisco 49ers where Darnold's team scored three touchdowns. Conversely, Fitzpatrick acknowledged that while Maye has been recognized as an MVP candidate due to his consistent season, he faced challenges during the playoffs, such as fumbles and decreased efficiency, which he hoped would improve with the additional rest provided by a bye week. The contrasting trajectories of both quarterbacks built anticipation for the game, with Fitzpatrick revealing his conflicted support for the Patriots as well due to personal connections with their head coach Mike Vrabel. He emphasized the challenges that come with playing quarterback in the NFL, especially under varying circumstances and infrastructural support, which have significantly influenced Darnold's career progress. Personal reflections shared by Fitzpatrick included his vacation in Aruba, where he took a break from the football season before the Super Bowl, reinforcing a sense of community and spirit as fans from both teams prepared for the game.