Rylie Mills barely played all season before coming up with an utterly dominant sack in Super Bowl LX.
Watch it one more time, and then let’s break it down:
When the Seahawks drafted Rylie Mills, John Schneider said “if we wouldn’t have drafted him, I’m not sure if (defensive coordinator) Aden Durde would have showed up for work on Monday.” Faith well placed! pic.twitter.com/RtYaciW5Fk
— Kole Musgrove (@KoleMusgrove23) February 9, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks first-year defensive tackle went against a fellow rookie in New England Patriots guard Jared Wilson, albeit one who’d played nearly the entire season. Mills was matched up one-on-one, and he skipped all the fancy finesse moves to get off and bull rush Wilson. His technique looked like a run-blocking offensive lineman- gets his hands inside on the chest, drives his feet with short, choppy steps, and extends his arms.
Mookie Alexander of Field Gulls asked Mills when he feels he’s at his best in the leadup to the game, to which he responded with “running straight through someone”. The Seahawks consistently put young players in positions they’re comfortable in, and it works out, even on the biggest stages. We can overthink football for genius tactics, but letting players win was more prevalently the goal for this year’s champions.
When I interviewed Rylie Mills on Wednesday I asked him what he thought he was best at when at 100 percent.
“Just going straight and running through someone.”
He wasn’t lying. https://t.co/0zGxobNtJ7pic.twitter.com/MpGBbKJ1JI
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) February 10, 2026
A man of consistency with his words, Mills told Brady Henderson the same thing he told Alexander after his big play and newfound champion status:
Rookie D-lineman Rylie Mills got the first sack of his career in Super Bowl LX, and it came on an overpowering bull-rush.
“I just ran through his face and then got to the quarterback,” he said.
Mills missed most of the regular season while recovering from a college ACL tear. pic.twitter.com/RnFKh2zKdx
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) February 9, 2026
Before we put this story aside for offseason talk, let’s consider the plan that landed Mills in Seattle in the first place. Let it serve as a reminder that when your trusted game planners stand on the table for a “guy” in team-building times, honoring their wishes helps the organization move militant. When the leaders are in lockstep with one another on trust and decision-making, the culture is as contagious as ever, and complications aren’t necessary.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Rylie Mills’ Super Bowl LX sack shows Seahawks’ winning strategy
