Who Will Step Up If Super Bowl Quarterbacks Are Benched?
As Super Bowl 60 approaches this weekend, concerns grow about the health of the starting quarterbacks for both the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. This pivotal game features the AFC champion Patriots facing off against the NFC champion Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Quarterback Injury Updates
On the Patriots’ injury report, quarterback Drake Maye is listed with an unspecified status due to a right shoulder injury. Despite this, Maye fully participated in practices earlier in the week. Furthermore, he recently secured the second position in the league MVP voting, just behind Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams.
Meanwhile, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is nursing an oblique injury. He was a limited participant in practice earlier but became a full participant by Thursday. His game status is also marked as unspecified.
Backup Quarterbacks Ready for Action
If either Maye or Darnold cannot play, their respective teams have backups ready to step in:
- New England Patriots Backups:
- Joshua Dobbs – QB Rating: 87.5
- Tommy DeVito – No game action this season
- Seattle Seahawks Backups:
- Drew Lock – QB Rating: 78.47
- Jalen Milroe – No game action this season
These quarterback ratings are based on performances during the 2025-26 regular season. Both teams’ backups have seen minimal or no action this year, raising concerns about their readiness in case they are needed.
Betting Implications
The uncertainty surrounding the starting quarterbacks could impact betting strategies as the game draws closer. Fans and bettors alike are keeping a close eye on the injury reports leading up to the big game.
The Super Bowl is set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET, broadcasted on NBC, where the Patriots are currently favored by 4.5 points against the Seahawks.
