Rylie Mills Just Said Five Words That Should Make Every 12 Absolutely Lose It

Okay, listen up, 12s, because if you aren't hyped after what just went down at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, you need to check your pulse! Our Seahawks wrapped up their OTA program on June 4, and while a lot was happening, one statement from second-year defensive end Rylie Mills is going to echo through the entire league. After rehabbing an ACL injury for most of last season, Mills is not just participating in his first offseason program, he just dropped a bombshell: "I'm Fully Back To Who I Was Before The Injury!" Yeah, you read that right. He's back, baby!

Mills Unleashed and Barner's Bold Promise

Can you even imagine what a fully healthy Rylie Mills means for Coach Macdonald's defense? A guy who spent his rookie season battling back is now officially declaring himself 100%. That's not just good news, that's game-changing news for our defensive front! The 2026 rookie draft class also completed their first OTA program, which is awesome for building that new foundation, but Mills' return is the immediate shot of adrenaline we needed. And speaking of adrenaline, tight end AJ Barner, even though he's not hitting the workouts yet after offseason surgeries, is feeling good and aiming for big things. He plans to be back for training camp, and get this, he expects himself "To Be One Of The Best Tight Ends In The League." What a statement! With Sam Darnold building chemistry with OC Brian Fleury, a weapon like Barner living up to that kind of talk would be absolutely massive for our offense. Even Cooper Kupp is feeling it, saying, "We're Just Going To Keep Getting Better." The vibes? They're immaculate.

The Emerald City's Defense Just Got Stronger

It's not just about players coming back from injury, it's also about locking down our talent. Linebacker Derick Hall just signed a multi-year extension to stay right here in the Emerald City, which is huge! Hall, coming off a 2025 Super Bowl-winning season, clearly loves being a Hawk, saying "Continuing To Play With These Guys Is Very Special To Me." You love to hear that commitment, right? It shows exactly the kind of passion and dedication we need on this team. And hey, even world champion boxer David Benavidez stopped by the VMAC on June 4 to meet the team and present a World Championship belt. Talk about setting the tone for a championship mindset! What's next for our Hawks? Training camp is right around the corner, and the stakes are climbing. With guys like Mills feeling 100% and Barner ready to back up his promise, the energy at the VMAC is just buzzing. This team is building something special, and we're just getting started. Get ready, 12s, because this season is going to be something to watch!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.