What about the main backups behind these stars? For the Seahawks, Drew Lock will be Mike Macdonald’s first alternative at quarterback. Meanwhile, Mike Vrabel’s Patriots will have veteran Tommy DeVito as their top backup option.

Both teams have something in common heading into their season opener. Seattle and New England opted to protect their starting QB’s during the preseason, as neither Darnold nor Maye saw any playing time throughout the exhibition games.

Super Bowl LX rematch

The Seahawks and Patriots were the protagonists of the most recent Super Bowl, which ended with a 29–13 victory for the NFC side. This Week 1 matchup could represent a chance at revenge for the Foxborough team, although many may not see it that way, viewing it instead as a fresh start for both teams.

The 2026 NFL season kicks off

Nearly 69,000 fans are expected to attend the opening game of the 2026 NFL season starting on Wednesday, as both Seahawks and Patriots look to get their campaigns off to a winning start. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 PM ET, with temperatures expected to be around 73.4°F at game time.

Key absences on both teams

The injury report for this matchup features two notable absences, one for each team. For the Seahawks, starting safety Ty Okada will miss the game due to a hamstring injury, while the Patriots will be without one of their key running backs, as TreVeyon Henderson is also sidelined with an ankle injury.

The 24-year-old signal-caller gave the Seahawks credit for winning the title last season but appears solely focused on playing the Week 1 contest against Seattle, without paying attention to ‘revenge’ narratives.

“Drake Maye says this isn’t a revenge game for the Patriots,” Mark Daniels of MassLive reported. “They won the big one,” Maye said, making it clear that while they will give their best, there is no feeling of revenge, as they are aware it does not carry the same weight as a Super Bowl.

The game ahead between Patriots vs Seahawks

While it may not be a revenge game for the third-year veteran, Patriots fans will certainly want payback in Week 1 after the team was defeated 29-13 in the Super Bowl.

Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in just his second season in the NFL. Expectations are high this year, especially after the front office acquired star receiver AJ Brown, who already expressed his excitement about playing with Maye.

The receiving corps was revamped overall, as Romeo Doubs signed with the club as a free agent, providing Maye with plenty of options for the 2026-27 season.

The Patriots’ season opener against the Seahawks will mark the first time since 2012 that the league holds its first official game on a Wednesday. Following this game, Drake Maye and his teammates will not play again until Sept. 20 in a Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving the club a mini bye week to start the new year.

Maye is expected to be a key player once again as the Patriots look to establish themselves as a dominant team in the AFC East. However, with the start of the 2026 NFL season drawing closer, he is focused on helping his teammates improve rather than chasing personal accolades.

“I’m focused on leaping each and every day,” he responded via CLNS Media when asked about making a leap from his year two performance to his third. “I’m trying to get better. How can I get better? And the more you get better each and every day, I feel like whatever you guys call a leap, whatever happens, happens. Trying to trump 14-3…that would be a big leap for us. We have to take it one week at a time; I’m looking for our team to make a leap, really, instead of me.”

Maye as a key piece

Since he arrived in the NFL, his performance has shown steady upward progress. Selected by the Patriots with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina, Maye has already demonstrated what he is capable of doing.

He had a tremendous campaign in 2025 (rookie season), completing 72% of his passes (354 of 492) for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns while throwing just eight interceptions.

He also added 450 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 103 carries, and he ultimately earned Second-Team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl selection. So far in his NFL career, he has amassed 6,670 passing yards with 46 touchdowns and a 69.8 percent completion rate.

What’s next for the Patriots and Maye

Maye will begin his second full season as the Patriots’ starting quarterback in one of the NFL’s most demanding environments. The Patriots visit the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, opening what many view as a revenge game of sorts in Mike Vrabel’s second season, featuring a nationally televised rematch of Super Bowl XLIX.

Brown and Maye took part in an interview with Devin McCourty on NBC. When asked about playing with Maye, Brown did not hesitate to show his praise for the young star quarterback.

“He’s such a great guy. He always takes the blame for every little thing. I’m like, ‘Drake, it’s OK. It’s not that deep.’ He’s incredible! Fun to play with. I can’t wait,” Brown said.

An exciting duo for the Patriots

AJ Brown and Drake Maye have high expectations for the 2026 season. The Patriots count on them to elevate the offense to another level and contend for a Super Bowl once again, especially as they share their first season.

Brown is looking for a resurgent season following an inconsistent 2025 campaign with the Eagles. He caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. He has reached 1,000 or more receiving yards in four consecutive years, seeking to match his 2022 and 2023 form when he surpassed 1,400 receiving yards.

Maye stood out during the 2025 season, leading the way to a 14-3 regular-season record. He completed 354 passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while adding 103 carries for 450 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

The Patriots’ return

New England secured the second seed in the AFC after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos. However, they were unable to crown themselves champions, losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60.

The New England Patriots’ NFL campaign will open on the road with a special matchup. They face the Seahawks in a Super Bowl rematch, set to kick off on Sept. 9.

“I do not think we have a very deep team,” Vrabel said to the press, “so I think we have to make sure that we are preparing our football team and that we are doing everything that we can to keep our best players available.

“And if that means playing Thursday as part of preparation, then that is what we will do. I have not made that decision yet, but I would say that that is something that I am confident in with where we are set up currently.”

Returning to the Super Bowl is the goal for a team that doesn’t want to leave anything to chance. Vrabel prefers to rest his key players at this stage and unleash his full arsenal starting in Week 1, when the Patriots will face none other than the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch of SB LX.

Vrabel draws his conclusions

With the heavy hitters taking a back seat, a few depth pieces really raised their hand during this 2026 preseason. Backup QB Behren Morton made a strong case for the roster after putting up a solid performance against Philadelphia Eagles, finishing 12 of 18 for 134 yards and a touchdown to keep the offense moving.

On the ground, rookie Jam Miller capitalized on his reps, grinding out 48 rushing yards on 9 carries and punching in a goal-line score. On the defensive side, pass-rusher Gabe Jacas stood out by causing havoc in the backfield, logging 3 total tackles, a sack, and two quarterback hits. It was exactly the kind of relentless, physical depth play Mike Vrabel values as he finalizes his initial 53-man roster heading into the regular season.

Protecting Drake Maye

It’s clear that Drake Maye is one of the team’s biggest stars, and the Patriots’ thin QB room means they don’t want to risk his health during the preseason. Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton are behind him on the depth chart, ready to step in if needed.

New England’s final preseason game

The Patriots wrap up their 2026 preseason on Thursday, August 27, when they hit the road to face the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. As for how they’ve kicked off the summer, it’s been a mixed bag with some solid moments: they opened up at home with a 13-13 tie against the Indianapolis Colts, but bounced back nicely in Week 2 by edging out the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in a tight battle at Gillette Stadium.

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN, it is very unlikely that Drake Maye plays vs Eagles. After all, Maye received heavy work during joint practices. Hence, the coaching staff might be content with the evaluation of him during those periods.

Backup Tommy DeVito is again expected to start under center. In last week’s preseason opener against the Colts, DeVito completed 13 of 22 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles will be yet another test against him.

Is Jalen Hurts playing for Eagles vs Patriots?

Nick Sirianni also indicated that his starters will rest, so Jalen Hurts is not likely to play vs. Patriots. Hurts didn’t have the best of practices and questions around him might be growing, but he is still the certified QB1 on the team.

Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton are likely to carry the major workload for the Eagles under center against the Patriots. As always, this is more a “go out and stay healthy” kind of game for NFL teams.

Maye and Hurts have different points to prove in 2026

Maye was the MVP runner-up last season and went to the Super Bowl, albeit on a losing effort. However, his season was criticized because of the easy schedule he faced. Now, he has to prove he can deliver in a consistent basis with a tougher schedule.

As for Hurts, the Eagles offense is entering a new regime with Sean Mannion as the offensive coordinator, and they lost AJ Brown, upgraded DeVonta Smith to WR1 and drafted Makai Lemon. Hurts needs to prove he can be a leader and produce.

“I wouldn’t anticipate seeing Drake out there on Thursday,” the head coach said during his press conference. “But that’s all subject to change.” It remains to be seen whether Maye will ultimately get a chance to take a few snaps late in the game or if the Patriots will preserve him for the season ahead.

New England’s QB room may not be particularly star-studded, but it does have options for the occasion. The experienced Tommy DeVito is listed first on the depth chart and will likely get the start, while rookie Behren Morton is currently listed third.

The challenges ahead for New England

The New England Patriots kick off their preseason tonight, August 13, at home against the Indianapolis Colts, followed by a second home game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, August 22. They will conclude their exhibition schedule on the road against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, August 27.

After wrapping up the preseason, the Patriots will officially launch their 2026 regular season away from home in a Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on September 9. The journey begins with a rematch of the most recent Super Bowl.

Maye remains the leader of this team

In 2025, Drake Maye delivered a breakout season for the Patriots, throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions with an impressive 72.0% completion rate and a league-leading 113.5 passer rating. As a newly elected team captain and Pro Bowler, Maye established himself as the undisputed franchise leader, commanding the offense with poise and decision-making beyond his years.

With the offseason additions of dynamic wideouts A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, Maye is poised to elevate his game even further—expanding the team’s downfield threat, improving his efficiency in high-pressure situations, and cementing New England’s status as a legitimate championship contender.

“I wouldn’t anticipate seeing Drake out there on Thursday,” the head coach said. “But that’s all subject to change. That’s kind of what my mindset is right now sitting here today. Really, it’s just important that we get the work in, get things accomplished that we’re looking to get accomplished. But that can always change, but I wouldn’t anticipate that happening right now.”

Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton are the other two options Vrabel has on the depth chart behind his top player. It will be a matter of seeing who ultimately takes the first snaps at Gillette Stadium against the Colts.

There’s no need to risk Maye

Given his breakout 2025 campaign, there is simply no reason for the New England Patriots to risk Drake Maye’s health in exhibition action ahead of the 2026 season. Maye proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the franchise cornerstone after completing 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions during the 2025 regular season.

Furthermore, his league-leading 8.9 yards per attempt and stellar 113.5 passer rating reflected the dramatic progress he made as a passer, demonstrating complete mastery of the offense. Exposing a proved MVP-caliber quarterback to unnecessary physical hits and potential injury in meaningless games offers virtually zero developmental upside, making his physical preservation for Week 1 the organization’s highest priority.

Preseason games for the Patriots

The New England Patriots will kick off their three-game 2026 preseason schedule at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, August 13, when they host the Indianapolis Colts. They will stay in Foxborough for their second exhibition matchup on Saturday, August 22, taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. Mike Vrabel‘s team will then wrap up its preseason slate on the road on Thursday, August 27, traveling to face the Cleveland Browns.

More on DeVito and Morton

Tommy DeVito, who originally joined New England after being claimed off waivers from the New York Giants in August 2025, stepped into the primary backup role after signing an off-season extension. Meanwhile, Behren Morton arrives as a 2026 seventh-round draft pick out of Texas Tech, where he threw for 8,986 yards and 71 touchdowns across 42 collegiate games, giving the Patriots a promising developmental option to compete for snaps throughout the preseason.

“Terms update: Patriots TE Hunter Henry is signing a two-year, $16 million extension worth up to $20 million and includes $14.5 million guaranteed and a $4.2 million signing bonus,” the insider revealed on X.

The 31-year-old will remain in Foxborough for at least two more seasons, in what could be the final team of his professional career. Mike Vrabel, meanwhile, also secures an important piece of the Patriots’ offense.

Henry’s impact on New England’s last season

During the New England Patriots’ run to Super Bowl LX in the 2025 season, Hunter Henry served as a pivotal safety valve and veteran leader for Drake Maye. Starting all 17 regular-season games, Henry anchored the offense with a career-high 768 receiving yards on 60 receptions (12.8 yards per catch) alongside 7 receiving touchdowns.

He elevated his play further in the postseason, starting all 4 games and adding 9 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown—including a crucial 28-yard fourth-quarter score in the Wild Card round—to help propel New England back to the Super Bowl stage.

Far from the highest-paid

As of August 2026, the NFL‘s highest-paid tight ends by average annual value (AAV) are led by George Kittle, who holds the top spot at $19.1 million AAV ($76.4 million total) following his extension with the San Francisco 49ers. He is closely followed by Arizona Cardinals playmaker Trey McBride in second place at $19 million AAV ($76 million total).

Rounding out the top three is Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, who solidified the #3 spot after signing a three-year, $54 million extension ($18 million AAV) with $36 million guaranteed.

Drake Maye’s other options

The history of the Patriots shows that they have had some great tight ends over the years. Rob Gronkowski is a clear example of that, and now Hunter Henry is, in some ways, trying to follow in his footsteps.

If No. 85 is unable to take the field and be available to Drake Maye for any reason, these are the other options listed on the depth chart:

• Eli Raridon
• CJ Dippre
• Tanner Arkin
• Jack Westover
• Mitch Van Vooren

“It was tough,” Brown said while speaking with Mike Garafolo on NFL Network. “I tried to get back into that flow state zone really quickly. Obviously, you’re going through some pain. The game is what it is and you’re gonna get bumps and bruises. I’m not coming out of practice. Thumb out of place, you keep going.”

Drake Maye recently confirmed his shoulder injury, so if Brown’s situation had been more serious, Mike Vrabel would have faced major concerns moving forward. However, it appears that nothing will prevent the wide receiver from continuing to pursue his goals in this new chapter.

The hope placed in Brown

The arrival of A.J. Brown in Foxborough has injected a massive wave of excitement into the New England Patriots offense, bringing a proven elite wide receiver to the passing game. Coming off a solid 2025 campaign where he hauled in 78 receptions for 1,003 yards, 7 touchdowns, and a 12.9 yards-per-catch average, Brown provides the vertical threat and playmaker the franchise desperately needed.

Head coach Mike Vrabel feels positive on Brown and his potential impact, having previously seen his dominant work ethic firsthand, and fans are eager to see how his presence will transform the team’s attack this season.

Back to the Super Bowl

The goal for the team led by Robert Kraft for years is crystal clear: return to the Super Bowl and erase the sting of their latest loss against the Seattle Seahawks. The offseason was extremely active, highlighted by several smart acquisitions.

Drake Maye enters this season more mature than ever, and while the team boasts a powerful backfield led by Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, he also has lethal weapons through the air. A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and DeMario Douglas will be his top receiving targets, while reliable tight end Hunter Henry will also play a key role.

Patriots’ preseason games

With the goal of reclaiming the AFC East and becoming title contenders once again, the preseason will be crucial for the Patriots. These are the first three games they will have as preparation for the upcoming season:

• vs Indianapolis Colts, August 13
• vs Philadelphia Eagles, August 22
• at Cleveland Browns, August 27

Maye suffered the right shoulder injury during the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos, and many believe it played a role in New England’s Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Despite those concerns, Maye delivered encouraging news during a recent appearance with Kay Adams, giving Patriots fans confidence that he will be ready when the regular season begins.

Drake Maye says his shoulder is fully healthy

Drake Maye was asked by Adams about his recovery and did not hesitate to reassure fans that everything’s fine ahead of the 2026 NFL season. “My shoulder is feeling great.”

The Patriots quarterback acknowledged that last season’s ending was disappointing but made it clear that he is entering the new campaign fully healthy and ready to lead the offense.

His recovery is especially important because the Pats believe they have assembled another roster capable of competing for a Super Bowl, highlighted by the arrival of A.J. Brown to strengthen the offense.

The biggest challenge may not be the roster itself, but a brutal 2026 schedule that many analysts believe will determine whether the Patriots are genuine contenders. For now, however, the most encouraging news for New England is simple: Drake Maye is healthy and ready to go.