Super Bowl Sunday will be a challenging day for several current and former NFL figures, as the event pits the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks against the AFC champion New England Patriots. Here's a list of individuals who will have a particularly difficult time watching the game:
Jerod Mayo: As the former head coach of the Patriots, Mayo was fired after a single season, despite a weak roster. He now has to root for the team that let him go, and his brother, Deron, is still with the team as a strength and conditioning coach.
Jimmy and Dee Haslam: The owners of the Cleveland Browns had Mike Vrabel, a former teammate and coach, in the building. They were impressed by his leadership and wisdom, but decided to stick with Kevin Stefanski instead. Vrabel then became the NFL's hottest head-coaching candidate and landed in New England.
Tom Brady: Brady, a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, made a controversial decision to trade a third-round pick to the Seahawks for Geno Smith, instead of pursuing free agent Sam Darnold. This move could impact the Raiders' future quarterback choices.
Offset: The rapper Offset, who shares three children with Cardi B, might be set off by seeing Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs, Cardi B's current love interest, catching passes from Drake Maye.
A.J. Brown: Brown, a star receiver, was underutilized by the Eagles and turned his gaze northward to Foxboro, where Vrabel and Maye were leading a turnaround. He might find it hard to watch the Super Bowl, especially after experiencing a championship the previous year.
Jed York: As the owner of the San Francisco 49ers, York will have to watch the Seahawks, who defeated his team in the divisional round. The 49ers had a dream season that could have culminated in a Lombardi Trophy, but the Seahawks ended their hopes.
The Frustrated Four: Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Patrick Mahomes will have to witness Maye, a second-year quarterback, representing the AFC in the Ultimate Game. It's a stark contrast to their own elite status.
Sean McVay: McVay, the Rams' coach, missed out on a third Super Bowl appearance due to the Seahawks' heroics. He might have to root for the Patriots, the team that defeated him in Super Bowl LIII.
DK Metcalf: Metcalf, a standout wide receiver, requested a trade and was shipped to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had a quiet season and missed crucial games due to suspension. The Steelers' success, including reaching the Super Bowl, might be bittersweet for Metcalf.
Bill Belichick: Belichick, now the coach of North Carolina, will have to confront the prospect of his former boss, Robert Kraft, winning a Lombardi Trophy without him. The disconnect between the two men is well-documented, and Belichick might feel uneasy seeing Kraft succeed.
Pete Carroll: Carroll, who was fired by the Raiders, must watch two other billionaires who fired him, Kraft and Jody Allen, compete for the Lombardi Trophy. He might also relive the Malcolm Butler interception from Super Bowl XLIX.
Amy Adams Strunk: The owner of the Tennessee Titans endured a rough season, including intermittent firings and a lack of alignment between coaches and the front office. She might find it hard to watch Vrabel, who was fired by her team, succeed in the Super Bowl.
Kevin O'Connell: O'Connell, the head coach of the Vikings, might regret his decision to rebuff the interest of Aaron Rodgers. The Vikings' struggles and the team's focus on J.J. McCarthy could make him ponder what could have been.
