Why fullbacks could have larger role for Seahawks in ’26

Under then-offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak last season, the Seattle Seahawks regularly used a fullback for the first time in nearly a decade.

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Kubiak is now gone, having departed to become the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coach. But the fullback seems here to stay under new OC Brian Fleury, who hails from the same Shanahan coaching tree as Kubiak and is expected to run a similar offense.

In fact, the fullback position could actually take on a larger role for Seattle this fall.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said as much after Wednesday’s minicamp practice when asked about second-year fullback Robbie Ouzts.

Ouzts, a former tight end at Alabama with a bulldozing 6-foot-3, 274-pound frame, was primarily used as a run blocker last season. He played 203 offensive snaps, but ran route on just 36 snaps and didn’t have a target, according to Pro Football Focus.

Macdonald hinted Ouzts could be more of a factor in the passing game this year.

“I think there’s some more ways we can move him around, and he’s done a good job,” Macdonald said. “He’s learning the whole route tree and he’s had a great attitude, and I think he’s gonna have a great opportunity in training camp to carve out a great role for himself.

“Maybe we’re not sitting in I-backs every time he’s out there. We will be in I-backs, but there’s some opportunity to grow his role for sure.”

Fleury’s fullback/tight end background

Fleury is certainly no stranger to having a fullback as a major part of the offense. He spent the past seven seasons as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers, where 10-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk piled up 1,469 receiving yards over that span.

It’s also worth noting that Fleury spent the past four seasons as the 49ers’ tight ends coach. And both of Seattle’s fullbacks – Ouzts and special teams stalwart Brady Russell – previously played tight end before converting to fullback ahead of last season.

Don’t forget about Brady Russell

Russell was behind Ouzts on the depth chart last year, but he stood out to former NFL quarterback Brock Huard during Wednesday’s walkthrough practice – with the caveat that Russell was getting more reps due to tight ends AJ Barner, Elijah Arroyo and Eric Saubert all sitting out with injuries.

Last month, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Russell also had an impressive touchdown catch up the seam during Seattle’s first OTA practice.

“Brady Russell was everywhere yesterday,” Huard said Thursday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “And just like the Kyle Juszczyk kind of guy that this coordinator is used to, … (Russell) can play some H-back, can play some fullback, can play some tight end.

“When a new coordinator comes in with a new set of eyes and has the background he does with a guy like Juszczyk, I’ve got just a little watch on him,” he added.

Listen to the full Brock and Salk conversation at this link or in the audio player above. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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