The Seattle Seahawks obviously have a bunch of high-end talent that plays well together. A team doesn't win a Super Bowl, as the team did last season, without the combination of performance and cohesion. But a team cannot win with a few greatly talented players alone.
A willing and versatile supporting cast is needed as well. Special teams units, for instance, might not be as talked about as the starting quarterback or elite cornerback, but great teams win with all three phases doing well. One of the players who follows helps Seattle's special teams be among the best in the league.
Teams also need younger and unproven players to step up. Stagnation doesn't work in the NFL, which means new production from players is a must. Seattle has just the perfect performer ready for that role.
Three unsung Seattle Seahawks who could be important cogs for future success
Linebacker Chazz Surratt
Surratt never had the kind of career that the Minnesota Vikings hoped he would when the team chose him in the third round of the 21 NFL Draft. Players in that round need to produce, and hopefully become starters, if not stars. Surratt hasn't come close to that defensively.
Where he has made an impact is on special teams. He has hung around in the league because of that, and he proved as much in 2025 with the Seahawks. While certainly not a household name, Surratt does the dirty work happily. Whatever is asked of him, he will do his best to accomplish.
That makes him the perfect player in Seattle's culture. Not everyone can be Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but all need to play an important role. One reason that the Seahawks' special teams are so good is because of players like Surratt, and he deserves more attention for what he does.
Defensive lineman Rylie Mills
12s might know Mills' name, especially after what he did in the Super Bowl. What might not be expected is an explosion in production in 2026. He could do just that, however. After recovering from injury for much of 2025 (a knee issue he suffered late in his final season at Notre Dame), he saw limited action late last year.
After finally getting to play in Week 14, Mills only played 28 defensive snaps and was involved in just three tackles. He saw only one snap against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game. In the Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots, though, Mills played five snaps, but had a sack, a quarterback hit, and a tackle for loss.
His sack was most impressive as he pushed his would-be blocker back towards quarterback Drake Maye, in essence, tackling both. His strength was obvious. This coming season, Mills will see an increased role and could turn into the next great Seattle defensive lineman.
Safety Rodney Thomas II
Thomas has had an odd career so far. He was a seventh-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and started 25 games over his first two seasons. He was solid in pass coverage, too, with a quarterback rating allowed of a decent 90.3, according to Pro Football Reference, as a rookie. He allowed seven touchdowns in his first two years, but also had six interceptions.
Then things changed. He went from starter to backup and rarely saw the field, with only one start over the past two seasons. He wasn't suddenly a worse player, so what Indy was doing is anyone's guess.
Now, Thomas has a chance to resurrect his career under head coach Mike Macdonald, a safety whisperer if there ever was one. The player could show the Colts that they gave up on him too soon. He won't start for the Seattle Seahawks, but he could see a lot of snaps in a backup role. With Macdonald's coaching, he could turn into a gem.
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