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NFL addresses wild conspiracy theory about Super Bowl matchup

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 27, 2026 10:11 AM ET

Did the NFL call the Super Bowl LX matchup at the start of the season? The answer is no, but that was not enough to dissuade some conspiracy theories based on a graphic from last September.

The NFL posted a graphic on Sept. 4, the date of the regular season opener, depicting players from all 32 teams walking toward Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The art was meant to represent the pursuit of a Super Bowl title for each of the league’s teams.

On Sunday, however, fans quickly noticed something suspicious: Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and Patriots quarterback Drake Maye are front and center in the image, right at the front of the line. Naturally, that spread on social media, with some joking — or perhaps not joking — that the league had tipped off the Super Bowl matchup four months ago.

“Re: the ‘controversy’ over this image – no,” McCarthy wrote.

Re: the “controversy” over this image – no. https://t.co/KHB55pDDvm
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) January 26, 2026

The placement of Darnold and Maye was pure coincidence, of course. Cam Ward and Malik Nabers are also up in the front, and their teams came nowhere close to contending this season. It’s a funny coincidence, but the NFL certainly doesn’t want anyone thinking there was some conspiracy at play.

Since Maye is positioned closer to the trophy than Darnold, does that mean the Patriots should be favored? Someone might have to ask the artist about that one.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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