The Seattle Seahawks capped an impressive 2025 season with an even more impressive postseason run. The Seahawks and Sam Darnold will enter this season as defending champions. Many USC Trojans on this squad will be defending their title belt.
The Seahawks will host the season opener against the same team they dominated in February to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The New England Patriots will look different, however. Come week 1 they should have A.J. Brown on the outside at receiver.
The Seahawks will still have USC Trojans Leonard Williams, Brandon Pili, and Uchenna Nwosu getting their chance to wreak havoc on Drake Maye, just like they did in the Super Bowl. Maybe even former USC teammates Sam Darnold and Uchenna Nwosu both will find the endzone again.
The Seahawks have lost some pieces this season, like Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, as he left to join the Chiefs. However, this team is still fueled by its USC Trojans. Sam Darnold is looking to show that this past season was no fluke and that he and the Seahawks still control the NFC. They can make a huge statement on opening day by knocking off the AFC contender, the Patriots.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Sam Darnold, Seahawks kick off 2026 NFL season vs Super Bowl opponent
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
