One unsung Seahawks player has played his way into a potential starring role

The Seattle Seahawks are getting big contributions in camp from a few unexpected sources. Sure, it's only the preseason, but this player is stepping up when others are stepping back.

Every team needs a little luck to make it to the postseason. Granted, they need a lot more talent and execution than luck, but luck never hurts. The Seahawks are no different. Coming off back-to-back 9-8 seasons, Seattle will need more than a little luck to return to the playoffs. The approximately 237 changes they've made to the organization this offseason will have a lot more to do with them actually doing something once they get there, but a little luck never hurts.

Typically, we think of luck showing up in one play. A lucky bounce, like the ball that caromed off the Titans' receiver hands and into the arms of Ty Okada is one example. But it wasn't just luck. Malik Willis threw the ball high, and Okada was in the right spot to make the play. But as the saying goes, luck is the residue of design. Pretty sure Homer Simpson came up with that one. Or maybe it was Milton; the same difference. Luck can also show up when putting together a roster, obviously a result of design.

Seattle Seahawks are getting big plays from Brady Russell

Sometimes that luck takes the form of bad luck. In the case of second-year tight end Russell, that's what's happened in more ways than one. He was off to a great start in his junior year at Colorado when an injury took him out for the bulk of the season. The Eagles signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and placed him on the practice squad. More bad luck, except the Seahawks snapped him up for the 53-man roster.

Russell played almost exclusively on special teams last year (312 snaps on ST, 16 on offense), but he showed a non-stop motor. That's translated to this preseason. He's made more than a few big plays at tight end. He caught all three of his targets versus the Chargers, including a touchdown that required some very shifty running after the catch. He followed that up with two catches on three targets against the Titans.

Head coach Mike Macdonald told the media, “Anytime you get more reps, especially you when kind of club up there with the ones and show what you can do, those are valuable reps. Treat them like gold and take advantage of them and Brady has done that, so we expect him to keep doing it.’’

The bad luck now is the injury to Pharaoh Brown. It looks like he's headed to the injured reserve list. That opens the door for Russell to make the cut as the Hawks' third tight end. Considering he's been the most productive tight end so far (yeah, yeah injuries, I know), they can hardly keep him off the roster.

For what it's worth, Russell has earned the Seahawks second-highest grade of the preseason from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). It may have taken some luck to give him the opportunity, but Brady Russell has earned his spot.

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