NFL Denies Wild Conspiracy Theory Claiming Super Bowl Matchup Was Predetermined
As excitement builds toward Super Bowl LX, the National Football League has had to step in and debunk a viral conspiracy theory circulating online that claims it secretly knew the championship matchup months in advance.
The controversy began when fans resurfaced a league-issued graphic from early September 2025, the official kickoff date of the regular season, depicting players from all 32 NFL teams walking toward Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, alongside the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Graphic Sparks Conspiracy Chatter
On social media, users noticed that Quarterbacks Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks and Drake Maye of the New England Patriots appeared prominently placed near the front of the graphic, right in proximity to the trophy. When both players went on to lead their teams to conference championship victories — securing the NFL’s two top spots for Super Bowl LX some online observers bizarrely suggested the league had “predicted” or even scripted the matchup.
The coincidence sparked a flurry of memes, fan threads, and speculation that the entire season had been predetermined or influenced by the league, rather than decided on the field through athletic competition.
NFL Issues Clear Denial
NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy took to X (formerly Twitter) to quash the rumors, stating simply and firmly: “Re: the ‘controversy’ over this image – no.” — making it clear that the league did not rig or forecast the Super Bowl matchup.
According to the league, the graphic was part of a standard preseason promotional piece intended to celebrate all 32 teams “chasing” the Super Bowl, not to single out any specific contenders. Other players such as Cam Ward and Malik Nabers, both also pictured prominently, play for teams that did not reach the championship game, reinforcing that the lineup in the artwork was not predictive.
Fun Coincidence — but Nothing More
Media personalities and NFL commentators have also weighed in, pointing out that fans often look for patterns or hidden clues in league imagery, especially as sports fandom blends with social media culture. One widely shared repost from NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson highlighted how the graphic’s visual coincidence was amusing, but ultimately just that: a coincidence.
While the speculation generated laughs and heated debate online, league officials have reiterated that game outcomes are the result of competition on the field, not back-room scripting or secret forecasts.
Looking Ahead to Super Bowl LX
Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium, the culmination of a dramatic NFL season. Fans should expect high stakes competition between the Seahawks and Patriots, with the matchup earned through wins in the NFC and AFC Championship Games rather than graphic placement months earlier.
Despite viral theories and imaginative fan chatter, the league’s public response underscores that the Super Bowl and the journey to reach it remains firmly rooted in the unpredictability and excitement of sport.
Source: Yardbarker
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