From a fan's point of view, seeing the Seattle Seahawks play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60 might simply be a rematch. The last time Seattle was in the championship game, which was for the 2014 season, the team played the Pats. In reality, a lot has changed.
General manager John Schneider still works for Seattle, but his responsibilities have changed. But long gone were important pieces of the Seahawks team that went to back-to-back Super Bowls in 2013 and 2014. Head coach Pete Carroll is now likely in forced retirement, and quarterback Russell Wilson likely just played the final down for his third team since leaving Seattle.
And that is just to name two people involved with Seattle's elite-level success of the mid-2010s. Almost everyone else has departed, and the same holds for New England. The Pats won't have quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick to lead them, for instance.
Grey Zabel sets the record straight about the Seattle Seahawks versus New England Patriots "rematch"
So, Super Bowl 60 might feature two teams that played in a previous Super Bowl, but this is no rematch. Rookie left guard Grey Zabel made sure the media understood that while talking to the press on Opening Night, just days before the Super Bowl would be played.
Zabel was asked if Super Bowl 60 was just a "normal game" or a "rematch." The question was slightly strange, and Zabel gave the best answer as to why.
"I wouldn't consider it a rematch," the left guard said. "Two completely different teams, two completely different coaching staffs, and we're just excited to be here."
Succinct and true. Plus, to be fair, Zabel could have taken more umbrage with the reporter asking if the Super Bowl was a "normal game." The championship is never "normal." That said, teams might try to approach the game as one they would play on any given Sunday so as not to be overwhelmed by the circus that is the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
Grey Zabel's statement proves further that he is not a regular rookie. He quickly became one of the most important and best parts of an improved Seahawks offensive line. John Schneider even broke his usual mold of not taking an interior offensive lineman high in the draft. Thankfully, Zabel made sure the pick was a wise one.
Clearly, Zabel is also wise beyond his years. The Seattle Seahawks versus New England Patriots isn't a rematch, and the play that basically ended that game will not fill any current Seattle player with rage. Still, there is nothing wrong with anyone wanting a bit of revenge on the Pats for the non-rematch game.