PO #52

Patrick O'Connell

Linebacker · Montana

A former walk-on who gave up his scholarship to play at Montana and ended up a Super Bowl champion linebacker with Seattle.

Patrick O'Connell's path to the NFL runs through a Division II stop and a walk-on tryout at Montana, hardly the resume of a typical pro. He went undrafted in 2023 but stuck with the Seahawks through practice squad stints and special-teams duty, eventually reaching the top of the sport as part of Seattle's Super Bowl LX championship roster.

★ First-team All-American (2021, Montana)

★ Two-time first-team All-Big Sky

★ Fourth in Montana school history in tackles for loss

★ Super Bowl LX champion

Path to the league

O'Connell played one season at Mary in 2017 before walking on at Montana in 2018, giving up an athletic scholarship to do so. After redshirting, he became a starter and developed into one of the most productive linebackers in program history, highlighted by a 2021 junior season with 105 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 14 sacks that earned him first-team All-American honors. He went undrafted in 2023 and signed with Seattle.

Career highlights

O'Connell finished his Montana career fourth in school history in tackles for loss and earned two-time All-Big Sky recognition. In the NFL, he has cycled between Seattle's practice squad and active roster, contributing primarily on special teams while developing as a depth linebacker.

2025 season recap

O'Connell continued in a depth and special-teams role for Seattle in 2025, being elevated from the practice squad at various points during the season. He was on the roster for the Seahawks' NFC Championship win over the Rams and appeared in Super Bowl LX, recording a tackle in Seattle's win over New England to become a Super Bowl champion.