Inside the Seattle Seahawks’ war room during the 2025 NFL Draft, the tension was palpable — almost like a high-stakes chess match from The Wire. Defensive coordinator Aden Durde, known for helping transform Micah Parsons into a dominant pass rusher in Dallas, was all-in on a fifth-round prospect: Rylie Mills, a defensive tackle with 17 career sacks and a knee injury that had been healing remarkably well.
Sounds like Seahawks DC Aden Durde pounded the table for DE Rylie Mills (fifth round), who was one of only two defensive players they took among their 11 picks.
“If we wouldn’t have drafted him, I’m not sure if AD would have showed up for work on Monday,” GM John Schneider said.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) April 27, 2025
General Manager John Schneider, feeling the heat, agreed to move up 30 spots in the draft to select Mills at No. 142, largely due to Durde’s passionate lobbying. Durde later joked about the urgency, hinting that if Mills hadn’t been picked, he might not have shown up for work on Monday. Schneider joined in the humor, comparing the situation to a playful sitcom moment.
Durde, the NFL’s first British-born defensive coordinator, had made it clear: Seattle needed to get Mills, a 6’5”, 295-pound force from Notre Dame. With a Game of Thrones-style power move, he essentially threatened a mutiny if they didn’t. The Seahawks made the pick, avoiding any internal conflict — for now.
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At Notre Dame, Mills stood out with 37 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and a place on The Athletic’s 2024 “Freaks List.” Off the field, his personality was just as notable, landing quirky NIL deals with the Chicago White Sox and fitness brands. But when it came to football, scouts were impressed with how he transformed his body and moved with surprising agility for his size. Durde believes Mills’ relentless style of play will help reinvigorate a Seattle defensive line that allowed 21.6 points per game last season.
In other Seahawks news, quarterback Sam Howell was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a set of draft picks and some valuable salary cap relief. Howell, once the starter for Washington, had a mixed NFL career so far, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 2023 but struggling in limited snaps in 2024. His college resume at North Carolina was outstanding, but his pro performance has been inconsistent. Now with the Vikings, he offers a backup option behind rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
For Seattle, the Howell trade cleared $1.1 million in salary, helping free up $35.7 million in cap space — money that could now be used to support new defensive additions or possibly extend star wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Under head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks are committed to a defense-first identity — a throwback to the days of Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman. But with Durde’s influence, they’re blending old-school toughness with modern, athletic talent. Mills fits perfectly into that plan: a raw but promising player hungry to prove himself.
Meanwhile, trading Howell represents another calculated move by Schneider — emphasizing roster flexibility and future development over sentimental attachments.
Although “mutiny” might sound dramatic, for the Seahawks, it’s just another spirited day of building a new contender. Durde’s fiery commitment to his players, Howell’s fresh start in Minnesota, and Seattle’s methodical rebuild are all part of a larger plan — pieced together carefully, one player at a time.