Brady Russell adding new wrinkle to Seahawks’ offense

Brady Russell has been vital to the Seattle Seahawks’ special teams success in recent years, serving as the unit’s captain while providing a tone-setting presence in the game’s third phase.

Now, he’s also stepping into a bigger role on offense.

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With Robbie Ouzts out for the season on injured reserve, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Russell has taken over as Seattle’s lone fullback. And in Week 1, he seized the opportunity.

Russell, who has a tight end background, hauled in two catches for 20 yards while playing a career-high 17 offensive snaps in the Seahawks’ 13-10 season-opening win over the New England Patriots. Those were the first two catches of Russell’s four-year NFL career.

They also were the first catches by any Seahawks fullback since Nick Bellore in 2021.

“Brady’s always been a guy that, when given the opportunity, he’s made the most of it – both out of the backfield and as a tight end,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said. “He gives you some flexibility on where you can align him and things that you can do with him in more of a receiving type of role.”

Russell was a tight end in college, totaling 78 catches for 799 yards and three touchdowns over five seasons at Colorado.

After going undrafted in 2023, Russell spent his first three seasons with the Seahawks as a core special teamer while playing sparingly on offense. He was a reserve tight end in 2023 and 2024 before moving to fullback last season and serving as the backup to Ouzts.

Russell’s experience at both positions could make him an interesting option in new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury’s scheme. Fleury spent the previous four seasons as the San Francisco 49ers’ tight ends coach, and did so while working in a 49ers offense that featured 10-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk as a consistent receiving threat.

Russell showed that flexibility in last week’s opener.

In the second quarter, Russell lined up as an inline tight end, chipped edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones and then snuck into the flat, where he hauled in a short pass for a 7-yard gain.

And in the third quarter, Russell lined up at fullback and helped sell a play-action fake by making it seem like he was the lead blocker for running back Jadarian Price. Price then leaked into the flat, which drew the attention of Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss. That opened up the middle of the field for Russell, who caught a short pass and barreled for a 13-yard gain.

“Our offense is going to include big people, and he’s one of the big people that we can put out there, and he’s done a great job,” Macdonald said. “He’s taken advantage of it.

“That’s one week’s worth of good work,” he added. “Let’s keep stacking some plays, let’s keep rolling and see what kind of role you can carve out for yourself.”

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