As the New England Patriots gear up to take on the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX next week, they are preparing to face one of the truly elite teams the league has seen in recent years. With a daunting, versatile defense and an offense that can score from anywhere on the field in an instant, the Seahawks enter Super Bowl week as the notable favorites over the Patriots.
While New England might be facing a talent deficit — and could be without their starting quarterback — they make up for it in coaching experience. Most of the players on the Patriots’ roster weren’t on the team for any of the six Super Bowls Tom Brady won with the franchise, but this is a veteran coaching staff and front office that has played in high-leverage games before. The Patriots won’t be intimidated or overwhelmed by the Seahawks or the stage.
New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson on Facing Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots hands the ball to teammate Treveyon Henderson #32 against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Patriots rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson was asked about facing off against his former college teammate, Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The two played together for two seasons at Ohio State — now they’ll be on opposite sidelines during the biggest game of the year.
“Great player. Such a great player,” Henderson said on Smith-Njigba. “Yeah, I remember playing with him. It was honestly exciting. He’s a playmaker, you know? Every time he shows up — he showed up every game, he helped us come out with wins. Yeah, it’ll be good to see him again and play against him.”
“Oh yeah, definitely cool [to play against a former college teammates in the Super Bowl]. That’s cool, yeah,” Henderson said with a smile.
At Ohio State, Henderson rushed for 3,761 yards and 42 touchdowns along with catching 77 passes for 853 yards and six touchdowns. In his first NFL season, he ran for 911 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 35 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown.
The New England Patriots Will Have a Tough Time Slowing Down Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
A first-round pick back in 2023, Smith-Njigba was an absolute star in college at Ohio State and is now starring again in a featured role in the NFL. With 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns, he leads the league in receiving yards and is one of the finalists for the Offensive Player of the Year award.
Fortunately for the Patriots, they have one of the league’s elite cornerbacks. Third-year CB Christian Gonzalez will have the primary assignment on Smith-Njigba and will be tasked with slowing him down. That’s easier said than done for New England — but if anyone can do it, it’s Gonzalez. The former Oregon Duck made second-team All-Pro in 2024 and is one of the premier lockdown perimeter defenders in the game today.
It won’t be easy, but as Henderson noted, Smith-Njigba is a special player. Look for the Patriots to focus a lot of their defensive attention on him.
Patriots Rookie Sounds Off on Former Teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba