Super Bowl 60 — the New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks — isn’t just another NFL title game: for Detroit Lions fans, it’s a matchup with numerous personal and historical ties back to Detroit. While the Lions didn’t make the playoffs this season, several former Lions players and coaches are now prominent figures on the Seahawks’ and Patriots’ sidelines and rosters, offering fans of the Honolulu Blue and Silver a rich set of storylines to follow on Super Bowl Sunday.
One of the most talked-about connections is Quandre Diggs, the former Lions safety and fan favorite. Drafted by Detroit in 2015, Diggs became one of the team’s defensive anchors before being traded in 2019 — a move that left many Detroit supporters frustrated. Diggs now finds himself with the Seahawks this season, providing a sentimental subplot for Lions fans as he plays on football’s biggest stage.
Another significant Lions-to-Super Bowl link lies in Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis. Davis spent the 2024 season in Detroit after being acquired from Tampa Bay, and though injuries limited his time on the field for the Lions, he has been a regular starter for New England this season. His journey from Detroit to a potential Super Bowl ring with the Patriots resonates with many Lions followers who watched his development firsthand.
Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai also represents a meaningful connection. Drafted by the Lions in 2019 with high expectations, Tavai’s tenure in Detroit was modest before he was released. He has since revitalized his career in New England, now playing a key role in the Patriots’ linebacker corps. For Lions fans, his presence in the biggest game of the season offers a “second chance” narrative to appreciate.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs has another link, albeit brief: he was on Detroit’s practice squad early in his career before landing with the Patriots. His path through the NFL — touching Detroit before growing into a starting role — is the sort of professional arc that connects Lions fans to his Super Bowl journey.
Beyond players, coaching staff connections deepen the Detroit ties to Super Bowl 60. Former Lions special teams coach Devin Fitzsimmons and defensive assistant Josh Bynes are both on Seattle’s staff, bringing their Detroit experience to the Seahawks’ sidelines. Meanwhile in New England, Terrell Williams, who previously coached the Lions’ defensive line, is with the Patriots’ coaching staff this year. Williams’ personal journey — battling prostate cancer and returning to be part of a Super Bowl staff — has drawn admiration from across the league and adds an emotional thread to the story for Detroit supporters.
These personal ties aren’t just token footnotes. They give Lions fans multiple reasons to be emotionally invested in Super Bowl 60 regardless of the final scoreboard. Whether it’s cheering on a former favorite like Diggs on the Seahawks, hoping a past Lion such as Davis earns a championship ring with New England, or simply acknowledging the shared journey of coaches like Williams, the connections span both sides of the ball and both sidelines.
In a league where player movement is constant, these narratives remind fans that even teams not in the championship can still be part of the story — through the people who once wore their colors and now compete on football’s grandest stage.
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