Super Bowl LX: Inside the Final Days of Preparation for the Patriots and Seahawks

Courtesy of: NFL

By: Christopher L. Antie

A detailed look inside the Patriots’ and Seahawks’ final practices as both teams' complete preparations for Super Bowl LX.

PALO ALTO & SAN JOSE, Calif. — Feb. 6, 2026 — With Super Bowl LX just hours away, both the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks wrapped up their final on-field preparations across the Bay Area. From tempo-driven practices to injury updates, coaching philosophies, and the emotional rhythms of Super Bowl week, both teams spent the last three days sharpening details, managing health, and keeping their players mentally grounded ahead of Sunday’s championship showdown.

Below is a full breakdown of how each team approaching its final stretch, based on the official PFWA pool reports. Chris and Will were there the entire week and have coverage of the week's events.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: A BALANCE OF ROUTINE, ENERGY & FOCUS

The Patriots opened their week at Stanford Stadium with a 90-minute padded practice, highlighted by quarterback Drake Maye taking all first team reps despite a right shoulder injury suffered in the AFC Championship. Head coach Mike Vrabel emphasized keeping players mentally stimulated, saving parts of the game plan for installation in California — a suggestion from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is coaching in his 10th Super Bowl.

Vrabel personally worked with defensive linemen after practice, even dropping into a three-point stance to demonstrate technique. With only five players on the roster having prior Super Bowl experience, Vrabel stressed urgency and execution.

Linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) did not practice, while Harold Landry III (knee) was limited.

Thursday’s 75-minute session focused heavily on red zone execution and two-minute drills. Maye looked sharp early, though the offense struggled during a sloppy two-minute period — something Vrabel addressed directly.

“We’ll have to have better execution on Sunday,” he said, emphasizing the importance of avoiding cascading mistakes.

The Patriots cranked up the music — Vrabel’s request — to simulate the noise they expect when facing Seattle’s defense.

Spillane returned in a limited capacity, while Landry did not practice. Several other players were limited but expected to be available.

Vrabel kept the team’s usual Friday traditions alive, including stretching to “Friday” by Sir Charles Jones and the beloved assistant coach one on one competitions — complete with touchdowns, fist pumps, and sideline celebrations.

But in a rare twist, Vrabel sent the team into the locker room mid practice for a 14-minute break, allowing players to reset mentally while music — including Bad Bunny — played through the stadium.

Practice closed with final team drills and a long huddle. Maye, Hunter Henry, and Efton Chism III were the last to leave the field.

Spillane and Landry remained limited and questionable for Sunday. Defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, designated to return from IR, was also listed as questionable.

Seattle opened Super Bowl week at San Jose State with a spirited 1 hour and 50-minute padded practice under sunny skies. Head coach Mike Macdonald praised the team’s energy and cadence.

Rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered an ankle injury late in practice and was limited. Quarterback Sam Darnold (oblique) also remained limited but “right on schedule,” according to Macdonald.

Several veterans received rest days, while others practiced fully.

Seattle’s second practice — 1 hour and 47 minutes without pads — featured a classic rock playlist at the request of Cooper Kupp, with Creed, Linkin Park, and Metallica blasting through the speakers.

Players looked loose and energized. Velus Jones Jr. sang along to “Eye of the Tiger,” and several players danced during breaks. The defense even signaled for imaginary crowd noise during a third down drill.

Emmanwori did not participate, though Macdonald said he “fully expects” him to play Sunday. Darnold was a full participant for the first time since his injury.

Seattle’s final practice — 1 hour and 36 minutes — followed the team’s ACT tempo: Alignment, Communication, Technique. Both offense and defense practiced with simulated crowd noise.

Safety Nick Emmanwori returned fully, prompting Macdonald to joke, “Turns out he’s alive.”

Fullback Robbie Ouzts remained the only player with a game status designation (questionable, neck). Tackle Josh Jones was limited but expected to be available.

The session ended with defensive end Leonard Williams breaking down the team. With families now in town, players were given the evening to spend with loved ones before returning to work Saturday.

Across three days of practices, the Patriots leaned into routine, emotional balance, and situational precision — a hallmark of Vrabel’s leadership. Seattle, meanwhile, embraced rhythm, tempo, and controlled energy under Macdonald’s structured approach.

Both teams enter Super Bowl LX with their quarterbacks trending upward, their defenses sharpening details, and their coaching staffs fine tuning the final pieces of their game plans.

By Sunday, the noise, the lights, and the stakes will take over. But this week — the music, the drills, the laughter, the injuries, the adjustments, the traditions — is where the foundation was set.

Super Bowl LX kicks off Sunday, and both teams look ready.

Source: ChrisWill Media

About the Authors: Christopher L. Antie and William Antie are podcast journalists who cover a wide range of topics across multiple industries. To learn more about Chris and Will, tune in to their podcast What About Our Life? on iHeartRadio, and visit chrisandwill.com.