The Super Bowl doesn’t need anything to add to its hype. However, there are potential opportunities for classic duels in the title game. And here are some of them:
Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers
This would be a classic duel. Two of the greats of the game, both with California roots. Entering 2019, they have combined for 113,000 passing yards and 855 touchdown passes. Would be one of the great Super Bowl QB matchups of all-time if it came to, um, pass.
Tom Brady and Drew Brees
Brady and Brees would rival Brady and Rodgers as a QB battle. They have combined for 145,000 passing yards and 1,037 touchdowns. A Patriots-Saints Super Bowl would not be safe for any scoreboard operator’s health.
Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo
Keep it simple here, the professor and the student as the Patriots’ Brady would hook up with the Niners’ Garoppolo.
Khalil Mack and the Raiders
This would be revenge at its finest. The great Bears’ linebacker Khalil Mack gets his shot to stick it to Jon Gruden and the Silver and Black. The Bears likely could keep up with their end of the bargain and get to the game. However, the Raiders don’t seem to be close to competing.
Josh Rosen and Kyler Murray/Kliff Kingsbury
Josh Rosen was sent to South Beach after one season and having been the 10th overall pick by Arizona. He’d love to get a chance to show Kliff Kingsbury, Kyler Murray and Arizona what he can do. Problem is this matchup could be years away and there is no guarantee the former UCLA star will be starting in Miami.
Earl Thomas and the Seahawks
Earl Thomas wanted long-term bucks from Seattle, and the Seahawks did not show their All-Pro DB the money. He’s in Baltimore now and this matchup would provide plenty of fodder for the media and bulletin boards.
Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray
Back-to-back Heisman winners from Oklahoma meet in a Super Bowl. Baker Mayfield has a big jump start on fellow Sooner Murray as the Browns are on the verge of being a deep playoff contender. They are both young with incredibly bright futures. Who knows, this one could actually eventually happen.
Philip Rivers and Eli Manning
Players who were traded for each other after being selected in 2004. Rivers was chosen fourth by the Giants and Manning went first to the Chargers. The only box missing on Rivers’ resume is an appearance in the Super Bowl, it seems. Manning has two rings and would be seeking a hat trick. The Chargers are far more likely to find their way to the championship than Big Blue is now.
Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning
These two went in the 2004 NFL Draft and have thrown for 112,000 yards and 723 touchdowns. Like with Philip Rivers, it appears as if Ben Roethlisberger is far more likely to see a Super Bowl than Eli Manning.
Bruce Arians and Mike Tomlin
The bad blood stems from 2011 when Tomlin and Arians parted ways in Pittsburgh. Time heals, but Arians would have to want a chance to take down his former coaching boss. Tampa Bay is far from a Super Bowl contender. That’s the hurdle here.
Vic Fangio and Matt Nagy
No bad feelings here as Vic Fangio did a great job with Chicago’s defense and head coach Matt Nagy did the same with the Bears’ offense. Still, it would be fun to see another assistant head to a gig as a head coach and meet his former boss. Problem is the Broncos don’t seem close as a Super Bowl contender.
Matt Nagy and Andy Reid
This would be an intense meeting of the offensive minds. Andy Reid brought Matt Nagy along in Philadelphia and Kansas City. Both Reid and the Chiefs and Nagy and the Bears are prime Super Bowl contenders.
Nick Foles and Carson Wentz
With Carson Wentz injured, Nick Foles led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl championship. Now that Foles has moved on to Jacksonville, it would be absolutely delicious if he and Carson Wentz met with a championship on the line.
