Top storylines of Super Bowl 2026: Sam Darnolds redemption, Mike Vrabels historic quest

SEATTLE — Tom Brady and Drake Maye both quarterbacked the Patriots to the Super Bowl as second-year pros, so, of course, a new dynasty led by a Hall of Famer must be upon us.If only projecting careers were as simple as drawing that parallel.Maye is the ninth quarterback to reach the Super Bowl in his second season.Some of the other eight have built Hall of Fame résumés — like Brady, Kurt Warner, Dan Marino, Ben Roethlisberger and Russell Wilson.Some became regulars in the Super Bowl — like Brady, Warner and Roethlisberger.Some have realized how hard it is to get back there at all — like Marino, Colin Kaepernick and Joe Burrow.

Or more than one other time — like Wilson and Brock Purdy.Brady (seven) and Roethlisberger (two) are the only ones among the eight with multiple Super Bowl victories.If the Patriots beat the Seahawks on Feb.8, they will break a tie with the Steelers for most Super Bowl wins by an organization (currently six apiece) and tie Brady for the most by any single entity.Here are some other Super Bowl 2026 storylines:Same as a decade ago, the Seahawks are dominant in the secondary as part of the NFL’s No.

1 scoring defense.So let’s offer a modernized version of the “Legion of Boom” nickname to be used for Julian Love, Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori, Josh Jobe and Coby Bryant: Nothing says 2026 society like “Legion of Zoom.”After facing the NFL’s No.1 scoring offense in the NFC Championship game, they will draw No.

2 in the Super Bowl.The Patriots don’t have the dangerous Rams duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams but still ranked first in net yards per passing attempt and No.

5 in passing touchdowns with five different targets between 447 and 1,013 receiving yards.Written off as a draft bust after playing for three teams in six seasons and settling in as a journeyman backup, Darnold has been a Pro Bowler in back-to-back seasons and just erased his big-game critics with a 346-yard gem in the NFC Championship game.The Vik...