Seahawks' Fifth-Round Steal Rylie Mills Shines in Super Bowl Debut

The defensive lineman's remarkable journey from devastating injury to NFL stardom highlights Seattle's savvy draft strategy.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:25am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a defensive lineman sacking a quarterback, with the action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.Rylie Mills' Super Bowl sack showcases the Seahawks' strategic vision and the resilience of a player who overcame a devastating injury.Notre Dame Today

Rylie Mills, the Seattle Seahawks' fifth-round draft pick, made a major impact in the Super Bowl just a year after a devastating knee injury derailed his college career at Notre Dame. The Seahawks' bold trade to acquire Mills has paid off, as the young defensive lineman recorded two sacks in limited playing time, showcasing his potential as a long-term piece of Seattle's formidable defense.

Why it matters

Mills' story is a testament to perseverance and the Seahawks' ability to identify undervalued talent. His rapid rise from injury to Super Bowl contributor highlights the team's strategic vision and willingness to take calculated risks in the draft, which could pay dividends in the years to come.

The details

During Notre Dame's College Football Playoff opener against Indiana, Mills tore his ACL, abruptly ending his college career. The Seahawks, however, saw an opportunity and traded backup quarterback Sam Howell and a compensatory pick to the Minnesota Vikings to acquire Mills in the fifth round. In the Super Bowl, Mills made the most of his limited playing time, contributing to two sacks and proving his worth as a key part of Seattle's defensive line.

  • In the College Football Playoff opener against Indiana, Mills suffered a devastating knee injury that ended his college career.
  • Three weeks ago, Mills recorded his first career sack in the Super Bowl, helping the Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots.

The players

Rylie Mills

A defensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks who overcame a devastating knee injury in college to make an impact in the Super Bowl.

Sam Howell

The backup quarterback the Seahawks traded to the Minnesota Vikings as part of the deal to acquire Rylie Mills.

Mike Macdonald

The defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, who has helped integrate Mills into the team's defensive scheme.

John Schneider

The general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, who orchestrated the trade to acquire Rylie Mills in the fifth round of the draft.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

The former general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, who was involved in the trade that sent Rylie Mills to the Seahawks.

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What they’re saying

“That'll be great. I'm really excited. Coming in after surgery and all that, it's been cool to feel like myself again and have time to develop.”

— Rylie Mills, Seahawks Defensive Lineman

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the Seahawks' ability to identify and develop undervalued talent, as well as the resilience of players like Rylie Mills who overcome adversity to achieve success at the highest level. The team's strategic approach to the draft could serve as a model for other organizations looking to build a sustainable, championship-caliber roster.