For those who believe in the conspiracy theory that the NFL is “scripted”\u2014i.e., that league execs decide which teams will see success before the season even starts\u2014Monday was a big day on the internet.<\/p>\n
Why, you ask? Because in a graphic the NFL made and released on Sept. 4, 2025\u2014one in which star players from every team line up before a larger-than-life Lombardi trophy\u2014two key players just happened to be featured closest to the front: Sam Darnold and Drake Maye.<\/p>\n
Of course, you’ll recall that Maye and Darnold are the quarterbacks of the Patriots and Seahawks, both of which are headed to the Super Bowl in just under two weeks. Curious …<\/p>\n
This coincidence did not escape some eagle-eyed X (formerly Twitter) users;<\/p>\n
Yep, this is really from September. Look all the way up front\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/zmhBHVXzJg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Scott Hanson (@ScottHanson) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The “NFL is rigged” crowd will have a field day with this one<\/p>\n Back on opening night the official NFL account posted this Super Bowl graphic<\/p>\n Zoom in and get a look at which two QBs are front and center leading the way to Santa Clara \ud83d\udc40 https:\/\/t.co\/UzymdPMoPi<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/y3NMWwbjR2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jared Smith (@jaredsmithbets) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n They really gave us the script in September https:\/\/t.co\/ofeVgBdbPb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Drake Maye Lover (@drakemayeloverr) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The craziest part of this photo isn\u2019t just that Maye and Darnold are at the very front\u2026\ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n But it had all 4 of these guys at the back, not even close! \ud83e\udd2f https:\/\/t.co\/hcVU2MLC1K<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lduiHCHHqx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tyler Tamboline (@ToeTagginTambo) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Scripted? \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02 This is from September. Zoom in and see if you can find a certain two quarterbacks leading the race to Super Bowl 60! https:\/\/t.co\/LbJlKwI76I<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Neil Reynolds (@neilreynoldsnfl) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Well, it would seem the chatter got so loud (or the image went so viral) that the NFL has now felt compelled to respond.<\/p>\n “Re: the ‘controversy’ over this image\u2014no,” league spokesperson Brian McCarthy wrote on Monday morning. <\/p>\n Aww, c’mon. <\/p>\n Re: the \u201ccontroversy\u201d over this image – no. https:\/\/t.co\/KHB55pDDvm<\/a><\/p>\n