Super Bowl 60 is finally here, and the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will face off with one team hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the night. The Patriots are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2018 season, while the Seahawks have returned for the first time since the 2014 season.
This matchup is a rematch of the 2015 Super Bowl, when the Patriots defeated the Seahawks thanks to Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception.
1. Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold enters Super Bowl 60 as the betting favorite to win MVP, and it is easy to see why. In the last 59 Super Bowls, quarterbacks have won the award 34 times. Since the Seahawks are favored in the showdown, Darnold being the MVP favorite is no surprise.
Seattle’s offense is built to keep Darnold comfortable, leaning on the run game to create manageable down-and-distance situations. If the running game gets going against the Patriots, it will allow Darnold to pick his spots against their defense.
That said, his MVP case depends heavily on Seattle avoiding a close finish. If the Seahawks dominate on the ground or win a low-scoring defensive game, voters will lean against Darnold. However, if the Seahawks control the entire game and put a lot of points on the board, Darnold will almost be a lock to win MVP.
2. Drake Maye, QB, Patriots
Now moving on to the other quarterback, the second-year signal caller has already led the Patriots to one of the most surprising postseason runs in recent memory. Maye’s MVP case differs because it depends more on the game’s circumstances.
For example, if the Patriots are to win this game, it is difficult to imagine doing so without Maye playing a major role, particularly against a Seattle defense that leads the league in most categories. If the Patriots win this game outright, that alone might be enough for Maye to earn Super Bowl MVP.
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
Now, to the first non-quarterback, Jaxon Smith-Njigba stands out as the likeliest wide receiver to win Super Bowl MVP. He is Seattle’s best receiving threat and the player most capable of delivering a big play that could tilt the game in the Seahawks’ favor.
Wide receivers don’t win Super Bowl MVP often unless their impact is overwhelming, but Smith Njigba has the skill set to be that difference maker. The Patriots will likely have Christian Gonzalez shadow him, which will be an exciting matchup.
Smith Njigba would need a high target share, a 100-yard performance, and a touchdown that shifts momentum. If he delivers all of that, he would be firmly in the conversation for the award.
4. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks
Walker’s path to MVP is not unrealistic, but it remains highly unlikely that a running back would earn the award, especially against a tough Patriots run defense. However, if Seattle controls the tempo and dominates time of possession, that would translate well into winning the battle at the line of scrimmage, and Walker could emerge as the most physically deserving candidate.
Running backs face an uphill battle for MVP consideration because voters tend to credit quarterbacks for offensive success even when the ground game delivers in key moments. Still, Walker has the profile to break through that bias if his performance is decisive enough. Multiple touchdowns, sustained drives, and a clear role in closing the game would significantly strengthen his case.
5. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots
Stevenson is the most intriguing long shot among the candidates because his success would signal a very specific type of Patriots victory. If New England keeps the game close and limits possessions, the award could lean in Stevenson’s favor.
The Patriots would need to rely heavily on the run, and Stevenson would need to handle a high volume of carries while remaining efficient. While his chances are slimmer than those above him, a Patriots win built around physicality and patience would elevate Stevenson into the conversation, especially if Maye’s impact comes more through game management than highlight plays.
Final Prediction: Drake Maye Wins Super Bowl MVP
While the odds slightly favor Sam Darnold, the clearest MVP path belongs to Drake Maye. If the Patriots win Super Bowl 60, it is almost certain that Maye will have delivered in the game’s best moments. Maye would become the youngest quarterback to win the Super Bowl, let alone Super Bowl MVP.
