Richard Sherman Podcast - Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl Pick: Maye vs. Darnold, Seattle D, Pats X-factors | Richard Sherman NFL

Welcome back to the Richard Sherman Podcast. I appreciate you for riding with me for your NFL talk, and I hope your New Year’s goals are rolling. It’s Super Bowl time, Seahawks versus Patriots, and I’m unapologetically biased because this Seattle team isn’t just good—they’re built the right way.

You said this Seattle run was coming, and here they are. The headline is Drake May’s rise with New England, so what problems does he pose for that Seattle defense you love?

May’s legs can flip a drive, but Mike Macdonald’s disguise game is brutal on young quarterbacks; his record against them is spotless because his fronts and coverages force hesitation. New England doesn’t have a singular alpha target, and Seattle’s corners with Nick Manwari moving around can squeeze windows while the rush collapses the pocket.

I expect May to take hits behind an offensive line that’s already let him get dragged down a lot this postseason, and Seattle’s top run defense will put it on his arm. Patriots fans will see the gap between a seasoned field-reader like Stafford and a talented rookie in clean Santa Clara conditions.

On the other side, New England’s defense plays tight man, hides zone well, and has real dudes like Marcus Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and the interior anchors in Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Vrabel’s culture is clear, but top to bottom Seattle’s the better roster.

Sam Darnold’s season is the story. Has he cemented himself as a franchise quarterback with Seattle?

Yes—he’s proven it, and it underscores how much coaching and environment matter for quarterbacks. Put good clay with teachers from systems like McVay or Shanahan and watch the foundation form, because development is a two-way street.

Credit Clint Kubiak for tailoring the scheme and elevating JSN with a veteran like Cooper Kupp around him. Big stage now—do the nerves hit a young star in his first Super Bowl?

Everyone with high standards feels nerves, but his confidence comes from work and consistency, not luck. He’s earned trust from the locker room and won’t be searching for himself on Sunday.

Christian Gonzalez can travel—how do you see that matchup with JSN when Seattle puts him in the backfield and everywhere else?

Kubiak will motion JSN into spots that force corners into run fits and traffic, which is where one-on-one rules break down; man can help at times, but the multiplicity creates conflicts. Overcommit to JSN and Rashid Shaheed’s speed turns a small mistake into a big play.

New England’s two-headed backfield has been rolling—how does Seattle bottle up Ramondre Stevenson and Trayvion Henderson?

They love duo, but Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams split doubles and free the linebackers, which kills those runs. Henderson’s pass protection is a stress point, so I’d expect Seattle to heat him up and force May into quick, tough decisions.

When Macdonald arrived, you expected a shift; are you surprised they’re in the Super Bowl this fast?

He’s exceeded even optimistic expectations with sharp pivots, like moving from Ryan Grubb to Clint Kubiak after a ten-win year, which many wouldn’t do. John Schneider’s aggressive calls—from the quarterback reset to fortifying the line and retooling the receiver room—paired with Macdonald’s humility have tuned the culture just right.

What does Vrabel’s own Super Bowl experience as a player do for this Patriots team?

It shows up in eye-to-eye accountability and fearlessness when tensions rise, which players respect. Different paths can both lead to elite coaching, and his style clearly gets guys to empty the tank for him.

You’ve seen Josh McDaniels’ playbook up close—do you spot echoes now, and how might he attack Seattle?

He’s always morphed week to week, and he’ll likely pull from what the Rams hit—dagger, post-corner counters, and patient checkdowns when deep shots aren’t there. Seattle lives in too-high with pressure looks and still stops the run, so May must resist impatience and take the boring yards.

People are comparing this defense to the Legion of Boom; see it?

Different schemes and personalities, same standard of speed and hitting, with real depth up front and playmakers like Witherspoon, Woolen, and Julian Love. Keep an ear out for Nick Manwari—he’s everywhere and has a Defensive Player of the Year ceiling.

Who’s the vocal core on this unit the way your group had multiple alphas?

It’s by committee: young leaders holding vets accountable, Leonard Williams and Witherspoon setting tone, and DeMarcus Lawrence fueling takeaway plays with relentless effort. Kobe Bryant stabilizes at safety, and the communication is tight across all three levels.

If you could pluck one current defender for your Super Bowl against New England, who would it be?

I wouldn’t swap anyone because those runs are about chemistry, not just talent. They’d say the same now—ride with the group that got you here.

Santa Clara is familiar ground for Seattle; does that help, and what do you make of teams avoiding the Niners’ practice facility over that substation chatter?

Comfort matters—short trip, known turf, and good memories help you settle in fast. The facility story pops up when it’s convenient, but that place has hosted winning teams for years.

Super Bowl week can be distracting—what keeps guys locked in?

Discipline isn’t a switch you flip, and San Jose isn’t a party trap, so veterans can frame it as one week of sacrifice for a lifetime payoff. Hit your obligations, avoid bulletin board talk, stick to your routine, and get back to work.

You’d keep the PR tight, even if some think those Patriots receivers are middling.

Great team, great opponent—say less and play more.

Reports say Clint Kubiak is heading to the Raiders—does that fit?

He’s the kind of offensive coach a young QB like Mendoza can grow with, but support matters, and the roster has to give him a fair runway. Scheme can unlock pieces, yet you still need enough around the passer to meet expectations.

San Francisco reportedly hired Raheem Morris at DC—your read?

It’s a natural reunion with shared history and mutual respect, and keeping strong voices around to challenge ideas makes sense. He’s a quality coach who fits their ecosystem.

There’s buzz the Seahawks will be sold after the Super Bowl—thoughts?

It’s part of the plan for Paul Allen’s estate and the league’s timelines, and there’s no shortage of deep pockets in Seattle. If Jody closes this chapter with a Lombardi, that’s a fitting end to a stewardship done right.

Your pick, score, and how it unfolds?

Seahawks 24 to 10: a tone-setting run drive with K9, a spread of touches to keep New England honest, and a 13 to 3 lead at half. The Patriots punch back to 13 to 10, then Darnold and JSN take over while the defense suffocates late—great foundation for New England’s future, but Seattle lifts the trophy.

MVP pick? I’m planting the flag on Sam Darnold. Twenty eight wins across two teams in the last two years, and an MVP here would push him back among the elite and give Seattle its first Super Bowl MVP at quarterback.

I’m riding with Seattle too. They’re the hotter side against a tougher slate, and I’ve got them winning and covering with K-9 taking MVP on two touchdowns; JSN scores, Hunter Henry is New England’s steady option, the Pats start slow, it tightens, and my final is 31 to 20 Seahawks.

We’ll be in the Bay this week and can’t wait to see everyone; always a blast doing this with you, Richard—take us home.

Appreciate you rocking with us—hit subscribe and turn on notifications. Next up we’re live for the Super Bowl with guests rolling through, maybe even Hall of Famers; see you there.