On Sunday, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels admitted that the New England Patriots’ 29‑13 defeat in Super Bowl LX was not a surprise. "I didn’t do a good enough job. Point it at me. They ‘out‑everythinged’ us in the game," he told reporters, laying the blame squarely on his side of the ball. The coach added that the team has learned from the loss and that the 2026 campaign will feature a reshuffled lineup, with several second‑year players stepping into larger roles.

New England finished the 2025 season with a 14‑3 record, earning the AFC’s second seed. Seattle also finished 14‑3, securing the NFC’s top seed, and the two teams met in the title game. The Patriots’ offense struggled against Seattle’s relentless pressure: quarterback Drake Maye was sacked six times, and rookie linemen Will Campbell and Jared Wilson left sizable gaps. Campbell, who played through a sprained right MCL in the Super Bowl, entered the 2026 season healthy, and McDaniels praised his mindset and work ethic during training camp.

McDaniels highlighted the new offensive line, which now includes free‑agent tackle Alijah Vera‑Tucker. The line will face a Seahawks front that retains most of its 2025 starters, including a defensive scheme under head coach Mike Macdonald that emphasizes quarterback pressure. "The Patriots’ offensive game plan is ready, and the players have had a week of preparation," McDaniels said.

"Drake just knows a lot more than he did last year in general at this time. And he’s learned a lot of valuable lessons I think over time," McDaniels added. He noted that Maye’s mental approach has sharpened and that he has worked harder than anyone else during the offseason.

When reflecting on the offense’s struggles in the final stretch of the regular season, McDaniels acknowledged that the team was "gas‑hed" by Seattle’s pressure packages. He pointed out that the left side of the line had difficulty protecting the quarterback.

In the lead‑up to the 2026 season opener, McDaniels expressed optimism about the growth of his second‑year players. He said the Patriots have "a lot of things we’ve learned" and that the upcoming game will test the new line and the offense’s ability to adjust to the Seahawks’ defensive scheme.

The season opener against Seattle is scheduled for Wednesday night. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since the Super Bowl and will test whether the Patriots’ adjustments have addressed the issues that led to their loss. The Seahawks, who won Super Bowl LX, will look to defend their title against a Patriots offense that has shown promise during the offseason.

McDaniels also noted that the team’s offensive line has improved since the Super Bowl. He said that the line’s new composition, including the addition of Vera‑Tucker, will help the offense handle the Seahawks’ defensive pressure.

The 2026 opener will also be significant for quarterback Drake Maye, who has been developing under McDaniels’ guidance. Maye’s performance in the Super Bowl was hampered by pressure, but McDaniels believes that Maye’s improved understanding of the game and his work ethic will help him perform better in the upcoming contest.

In closing, McDaniels reiterated that the Patriots are ready for the challenge. "The players have had a good week of preparation and the offensive game plan is set," he said. The team will look to use the lessons from the Super Bowl to improve their performance against a familiar opponent.

The outcome of the season opener will be a key indicator of how the Patriots’ offense has evolved and whether the adjustments made by McDaniels and the coaching staff will translate into success against a top‑tier defense. It will also set the tone for a campaign in which the Patriots aim to build on their 14‑3 record from the previous season.