Seahawks Confirm Mutiny Threats From Mike Macdonald’s Coach After Trading Sam Howell to Vikings

Picture this: The Seattle Seahawks’ headquarters in Renton, Washington has transformed into a literal war room amid the final night of the NFL Draft storm. Entrusted with Picks 137, 172, 175 and 223, the front office is anything but ready with their choices. In fact, defensive coordinator Aden Durde can be seen caught in a screaming match somewhere, as one player seems to have taken over his mind, body and soul. Finally, the team abides, setting off a chain reaction of trading, exchanging and acquiring.

First, they trade their fourth-round pick (137) to the New England Patriots in exchange for a fifth (144) and seventh-round pick (238). Then they trade 24-year-old backup quarterback Sam Howell—owing to an overcrowded QB room after Jalen Milroe’s third-round induction—to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the latter’s 142nd pick, and giving away 172. Why? To get Notre Dame defensive end Rylie Mills. In simple words, Schneider caved, trading up 30 spots to nab the player, because Durde’s defensive vision is THAT persuasive. Heads-up: There might have been some fist-slamming involved, too.

No, it’s not us saying it, but ESPN’s Brady Henderson, who conjured up a vivid picture of all the action surrounding Mill’s selection. In a tweet on April 26, the journalist wrote, “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.” The context? Well, it was one off-handed comment by GM John Schneider that amply indicated how much Durde was rallying for the Fighting Irish star to be taken.

During a press conference after the third day concluded, Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald sat with reporters to talk about each of their picks. Talking about Mills, the GM said, “Excited. He’s doing great…We’re hopeful that, maybe later (in the) season he’s going to be a viable candidate to add to our group. He’s a really good player. If we wouldn’t have drafted him, I’m not sure if A.D. (Aden Durde) would have showed up for work on Monday.” Well, no surprise.

The second Team All-American was one of the key members of the Notre Dame roster last season, with 7.5 sacks and 8.5 sacks for loss. Through his three seasons under Marcus Freeman’s tutelage, the 23-year-old recorded 108 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in 39 appearances (including 35 as a starter). Notably, he also secured a spot on The Athletic’s ‘Freaks List’ in 2024. No wonder MacDonald is relieved.

“Going through him and meeting him and talking football with him, seeing how he approaches the game, his approach with the rush, how they orchestrate their pass-rush games, it’s really impressive. Sounds like a five-, six-year vet. Compete for pass-rush snaps too,” the HC said. But there’s a catch: The defensive end is currently battling an ACL tear he sustained on December 21’s first-round playoff victory (27-17) over Indiana. He missed the following three games and is still under medical care.

Talking to reporters about the same on a conference call Saturday, the young player informed, “My knee is really ahead of schedule. I know I talked to [the Seahawks] doctor out there and my knee is doing awesome. I’m walking around really well and I’m starting to run and they said I’m way ahead of where a lot of guys would be.” Schneider, on the other hand, said, “He’s doing great. We flew him in. He was able to spend time with Dr. Ed (Khalfayan). He was pleased with where he’s going. Post-Combine, Ed was able to have another exam, felt good about it. He’s doing great with his rehab.” But why take an injured player?

Sports Illustrated‘s Jared Shlensky put it best: “When Mills is healthy, he’s a monster. He’s worth the wait, and that’s what the Saints might have to do.”

Top Comment by Deondre Skramstad

#process Mcdonald & Durde are defensive savants

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Meanwhile, in Quarterback Shuffle news: Seattle shipped Sam Howell to the Vikings for a bag of draft picks (and a side of cap relief).

Howell’s exit: Minnesota’s gain and a relief for Mike Macdonald?

Howell, the ex-Commanders starter who threw 21 TD passes and 21 INTs in 2023, became expendable after Seattle signed Sam Darnold and drafted Bama’s Jalen Milroe. Minnesota, desperate for a backup behind rookie J.J. McCarthy, now gets a QB whose career stats read like a rollercoaster: 3,946 pass yards in ‘23, but a 14.6 passer rating in limited ‘24 snaps.

Howell’s legacy? A mixed bag. At UNC, he was a record-breaking dual threat (10,283 pass yards, 92 TDs). But Vikings fans are already memeing his 2024 preseason dime to Easop Winston—a 23-yard TD that’s peak “maybe he’s him?” energy. For Seattle, though, this trade was pure cap gymnastics. Dumping Howell’s $1.1M salary helped clear $35.7M in space.

Mike Macdonald’s DNA has always been defense-first—think Kam Chancellor hits and Richard Sherman pick-sixes. But under Durde, they’re blending old-school grit with new-school savvy. Mills, a DIY project with a ‘CHISOX Athlete’ mentorship deal, fits the mold: unpolished but hungry. And trading Howell? That’s Schneider playing 4D chess, prioritizing depth charts over nostalgia.

Sure, “mutiny” sounds dramatic, but in Seattle, it’s just another day. Durde’s passion? As authentic as the Pike Place fish toss. Howell’s fresh start? A Viking saga waiting to happen. And the Seahawks? They’re rebuilding like a rainy-day Lego set—one block (or Mills tackle) at a time.