Two quarterbacks with strong connections to the Carolina Panthers will meet in Super Bowl LX. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, both of whom have ties to the Panthers organization, are set to compete for the championship.
Darnold played for the Panthers during the 2021 and 2022 seasons after being acquired from the New York Jets. He began his time in Carolina with a promising start, leading the team to three straight wins and briefly topping the league in rushing touchdowns. However, following an injury to running back Christian McCaffrey and other setbacks, Darnold’s tenure was marked by instability, including coaching changes and roster turnover. The Panthers eventually traded for Baker Mayfield before training camp in 2022. When Mayfield was injured and later released, Darnold returned as starter and nearly led Carolina to a playoff berth under interim coach Steve Wilks.
After the Panthers traded up for Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, Darnold entered free agency. He spent a year as a backup in San Francisco before moving on to Minnesota, where he threw for over 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns last season. He then joined Seattle and continued his strong performance.
Panthers long snapper JJ Jansen reflected on Darnold’s journey: “Not only was he a great leader and teammate here, but he played really good football,” Jansen said of Darnold. “His two years here, where he had a couple of injuries, there was a lot of turnover, coaches fired, there was a lot going on. Which wasn’t all that different when he was in New York.
“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s athletic. He’s a great student of the game. And, so when he went to San Francisco, goes to Minnesota, now in Seattle, he’s been around good coaching, guys that are really building him up, good systems for what he’s good at.”
Veteran offensive lineman Austin Corbett also spoke about Darnold’s growth: “I knew he would,” Corbett said. “I loved when Sam was here; he was awesome. He’s a great guy, you saw him have great success in Minnesota too, so ask those guys too.” Corbett added: “I think I’m a big testament to that too, just a fresh start can do wonders for a career… Like it’s not always going to stick the first time you try something…”
The Patriots have built their offense around Drake Maye since selecting him third overall in the 2024 draft. Before entering the NFL as a North Carolina product who starred at Myers Park High School in Charlotte—where the Carolina Panthers are based—Maye grew up as an avid Panthers fan and attended Super Bowl 50 as a spectator.
“It’s full circle,” Maye told reporters Sunday night. “My dad, when I was maybe in seventh grade said if the Panthers made it we were going to go. It was heartbreaking; they lost to the Broncos… But no it was a good experience for a kid my age who loved football… Pretty cool to be full circle going back here 10 years later…”
Jansen recalled meeting Maye after his rookie preseason game: “He sought me out… I certainly know who he is as being a third overall draft choice and being at Myers Park… And then watching Drake play and certainly watching Drake’s brother play basketball at Chapel Hill… But I didn’t think to introduce myself… just a very mature young man…”
The Carolina Panthers, established as an NFL expansion team in 1995 with operations centered in Charlotte—where they host home games—have participated in multiple division championships and playoff runs since their founding (https://www.panthers.com/). The franchise has emphasized building championship culture while maintaining community involvement throughout North and South Carolina (https://www.panthers.com/).
Super Bowl LX will see one former Panther or longtime fan claim victory on football’s biggest stage—a moment that resonates within an organization known for its history of playoff appearances and commitment both on-field and off (https://www.panthers.com/).