Mark Wahlberg declares Drake Maye and Patriots “100%” Super Bowl bound again after Seattle loss

Just over a week removed from a humbling Super Bowl defeat, optimism is already surging through sections of New England’s fan base, led loudly and confidently by longtime Patriots supporter Mark Wahlberg.

The New England Patriots fell 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, a game that exposed execution flaws but did little to shake Wahlberg’s belief in the franchise’s trajectory.

TMZ Sports caught up with the actor outside ABC Studios in New York City, where he wasted no time projecting a swift return to football’s biggest stage.

Asked about quarterback Drake Maye and his three turnovers along with six sacks in the championship loss, Wahlberg dismissed criticism with perspective rather than panic.

“Okay, but he went to the Super Bowl in his second season,” Wahlberg said, framing Maye’s postseason appearance as a remarkable accomplishment rather than a missed opportunity.

From Wahlberg’s viewpoint, the Patriots were beaten by the better team on that night, but the broader arc of the franchise remains pointed toward renewed dominance.

He suggested the team may have played too tight under the Super Bowl spotlight, hinting that a freer, more instinctive approach could unlock their full offensive potential.

Injuries, pressure, and situational mistakes contributed to the loss, yet Wahlberg believes those factors are temporary obstacles rather than structural weaknesses.

“Go out there and have fun,” he added, implying that recapturing the loose confidence of backyard football could elevate Maye’s performance in future postseason appearances.

Perhaps most notably, Wahlberg predicted without hesitation that the Patriots would return to the Super Bowl next season.

“100%,” he declared, doubling down on his belief that a new dynasty is already forming in Foxborough.

The bold proclamation reflects the confidence surrounding Maye, who despite setbacks demonstrated resilience and flashes of elite quarterback potential throughout the season.

Reaching a Super Bowl in only his second year places Maye among a rare group of young quarterbacks who have accelerated rebuild timelines rather than extending them.

Critics have pointed to his turnover count and susceptibility to pressure in the championship game, but supporters counter that growth often follows adversity at this stage of development.

Wahlberg’s enthusiasm also aligns with broader organizational confidence in head coach Mike Vrabel and the defensive infrastructure that carried the Patriots through much of the regular season.

The Patriots’ roster remains among the AFC’s deepest, and offseason adjustments could address the pass protection issues that plagued Maye against Seattle’s aggressive front.

Wahlberg even found time to take a playful jab at the New York Giants, joking that Big Blue will not be joining the Patriots in Super Bowl LXI.

That lighthearted rivalry aside, his comments underscore a broader truth about New England’s identity: expectations reset quickly, and championship windows are assumed rather than hoped for.

The Patriots’ defeat may have halted immediate celebrations, but it has not dampened belief in their competitive foundation.

Maye’s growth curve, combined with strategic offseason reinforcement, could indeed position New England for another deep postseason run.

Whether Wahlberg’s “dynasty again” prediction materializes remains to be seen, yet his confidence mirrors a fan base accustomed to rebounds rather than rebuilds.

As the offseason unfolds, the Patriots will seek to transform lessons from Super Bowl LX into sharper execution and deeper resilience.

For now, at least in Wahlberg’s eyes, the path back to the Lombardi Trophy is not a question of if, but when.