The Seattle Seahawks offense might look a lot like the San Francisco 49ers offense in 2026, and that isn't a bad thing. While San Fran is a bitter NFC West rival, offensively they have thrived for many seasons. This past offseason, Seattle hired Brian Fleury from them to be the PNW team's new offensive coordinator.
Nothing was wrong with the old OC, of course. Klint Kubiak was fantastic for one season and helped lead the team to a Super Bowl win. Because of that success, Kubiak was hired away by the Las Vegas Raiders to be their new head coach.
Fleury and Kubiak run similar systems, but one Seahawks veteran might find more success because Fleury's system will likely use a fullback more than Kubiak's. That means good things for Robbie Ouzts, sure, but possibly even greater things for Brady Russell. Ouzts is a pure fullback, but Russell offers positional flexibility.
Brady Russell could be a star in new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury's Seattle Seahawks offense
The 49ers have used Kyle Juszczyk to brilliant effect for many years. He sometimes runs the ball, sometimes catches the ball, but is an elite blocker, too. Not all fullbacks are created equal, of course, and Juszczyk is exceptionally talented. Even if Russell or Ouzts is slightly off the form that the 49ers fullback can provide, that could still augment what Felury wants to do in Seattle.
The advantage for Russell, even while he is smaller than Ouzts, is that his being on the field can keep a defense guessing a bit more. Russell can certainly catch the ball, and though he hasn't been asked to do that in the regular season, he's been exceedingly efficient in the preseason. Since 2023, he's caught 12 of his 16 targets for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
Does preseason success equal regular season excellence? Of course not. At the same time, Russell hasn't yet had an offensive coordinator who would try to use him effectively.
Brian Fleury not only understands how to do that, but would likely welcome the opportunity. When the new offensive coordinator calls a play, he can do so assuming the defense won't know if Russell is going to line up in the backfield or on the edge. No matter where he lines up, he can be efficient and could change his alignment pre-snap. Ouzts can't do that and might still be valuable.
Seattle Seahawks fans probably won't get an indication of what the plan is at fullback with either Brady Russell or Robbie Ouzts in training camp because if fans know the plan, so do rivals. 12s might not learn the potency of Russell in Fleury's scheme until the real games begin, and that's going to make the season even more fun.
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