Seven Seahawks Nobodies Are About to Become Somebodies in 2026

Mike Macdonald and John Schneider lost some star power when the 2025 Super Bowl champions lost key players this offseason, but the Seahawks brass isn't worried. At the league meetings in Phoenix last week, Schneider rattled off a list of guys who either didn't get much run last season or just arrived in Seattle and have a real shot to step up. "There's a cool group of guys," Schneider said, and he's betting at least seven of them become the next names everyone's talking about.

Rylie Mills: The Defensive Line Wildcard

Fifth-round pick Rylie Mills out of Notre Dame missed nearly all of 2025 rehabbing an ACL injury from December 2024. If he'd stayed healthy, the Seahawks think he would've been taken much higher in the draft. When Mills finally came back, he announced himself in the Super Bowl with a sack of Drake Maye for a 10-yard loss in the second quarter. One of the most memorable plays of the whole game. Now healthy, Mills figures to get way more time in 2026, and Macdonald isn't done figuring out how to use him. Mills plays interior defensive line primarily, but Macdonald says he could see edge rusher reps too depending on what works best. The guy is 6-foot-5, 296 pounds, and the team is experimenting with his weight to find the perfect fit. "Just finding the sweet spot on his role and where he's going to go," Macdonald said. "But the sky's the limit."

Safety Competition Heats Up

The Seahawks brought in Rodney Thomas II as one of just four external free agent signings. Thomas spent his last four years with the Colts and was a starter for his first two seasons in the league. Now he's competing with Ty Okada for the open starting safety spot. "I think it shows the alignment we have with the coaches now like understanding the skill sets we're looking for at the safety position," Macdonald said. "Haven't been able to spend a lot of time with him, but from the tape I'm excited to add him to our group." But Thomas isn't alone in that race. A.J. Finley, claimed off waivers from the Chargers late in 2024, is also pushing for starts. Finley suffered a season-ending knee injury in August during a pass-coverage drill at Lumen Field before being re-signed in March. "A.J. was having a great training camp," Macdonald said. "Such a bummer that that play happened. Almost like it happened in slow motion, like a nightmare. But he's a guy since he walked in the door who's one of those steadfast guys that nails it every day and has a great attitude."

Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene Eyes a Fresh Start

Another external free agent signing, cornerback Noah Igbinoghene was a first-round pick of the Dolphins back in 2020. The Seahawks signed him to compete for playing time at cornerback, where an opening exists after departures at the position. This is Igbinoghene's chance to prove he belongs in this league with a contender that just won a Super Bowl.

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