EMBRACING CHANGE: The last time the Patriots featured in a Super Bowl, in 2019, with Bill Belichick as coach, they would’ve been as likely to embrace the social media circus as to post their game plan on the internet. Times have changed under Mike Vrabel, writes Christopher L. Gasper.
OUT OF HIS CONTROL: Roger Goodell had a message for Bill Belichick and anyone incensed that the former Patriots coach reportedly fell short of induction for the Hall of Fame: Hey, don’t look at me. Ben Volin has more from the NFL commissioner's Super Bowl press conference.
MORE DISTRACTIONS: It’s always something with the Patriots during Super Bowl week, writes Dan Shaughnessy. In a record 12 trips to the ultimate game, the Pats have alternately made the Super Bowl about cocaine, a coach-owner squabble, spying, perfection, ideal gas laws, and revenge.
TOUGHING IT OUT: Sam Darnold has shown the football world a thicker skin, a level of personal resilience that has him authoring one of the unlikeliest, and most inspirational, comeback stories in NFL lore. Tara Sullivan has more on the Seattle quarterback.
HAPPY TO BE BACK: Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams made an appearance Monday with the rest of the Patriots at Opening Night and talked about some of the challenges he’s faced over the last few months since he stepped away. Christopher Price has more from Williams.
CROWD FAVORITE: Drake Maye’s podium drew probably the biggest crowd Monday night, as reporters shouted over one another to ask the second-year quarterback questions on a whole host of topics. Nicole Yang sets the scene.
PEAKING AT RIGHT TIME: Vrabel went above and beyond to single out the work of Christian Gonzalez and the elevation of his game during the last few weeks of the regular season and the postseason. Christopher Price has more on the defensive back.
HE'S FINE WITH IT: Maye responded "I'll be just fine" when he was asked about his shoulder. Kevin Dillon has more.
KID STUFF: Louis Divito, of Westminster, will be watching the Patriots play the Seahawks in person as this year’s “Super Bowl Kid Reporter.” Hannah Goeke has more on how the 9-year-old won the trip to California.
TUNE IN: On the latest episode of Boston Globe Sports Report,
Christopher Price gives Ben Volin his assessment of the Super Bowl quarterbacks and coaches: Maye and Darnold, and Vrabel and Mike Macdonald.
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