Patrick O’Connell Bio
Patrick O’Connell is an American professional football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 31, 1998, in Kalispell, Montana, he played college football for the Montana Grizzlies after beginning his collegiate career at Mary. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, O’Connell has steadily worked his way up from the practice squad to become a contributing member of the Seahawks defense, including being part of the team that won Super Bowl LX. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 231 pounds, O’Connell brings size and athleticism to the linebacker position.
Early Life and Background
Patrick O’Connell was born on December 31, 1998, in Kalispell, Montana. During his youth, he initially focused on baseball before developing his skills in multiple sports. He attended Glacier High School in Montana, where he distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He served as captain of the baseball team for three years and captained both the football and basketball teams during his senior year. His athletic contributions helped Glacier High School reach five state championships during his tenure, including winning the state football title in 2014 and the basketball title in 2017.
In baseball, O’Connell earned first-team all-conference honors in each of his last two years of high school and received first-team all-state recognition once. On the football field, he earned second-team all-conference honors as a junior before achieving first-team all-conference and first-team all-state honors on both offense and defense as a senior. Playing linebacker and fullback, he was named the Montana state football defensive most valuable player in 2016 after recording 135 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two interceptions. He also participated in the Montana East West Shrine All-Star Game and the Montana-North Dakota All-Star Game, showcasing his talents against top competition from neighboring states.
Path to the NFL
Following his exceptional high school career, O’Connell committed to play college football and college baseball for the Mary Marauders while also continuing his football development. He appeared in 10 games for the Marauders football team during the 2017 season, recording 33 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss while also scoring a defensive touchdown. His performance demonstrated his potential as a collegiate player, though he ultimately decided to pursue a different path.
In 2018, O’Connell made a significant decision to leave Mary and give up his athletic scholarship and baseball career to join the Montana Grizzlies football team as a walk-on. He redshirted his first season at Montana and was recognized as the defensive scout team player of the year, demonstrating his work ethic and ability to learn the system. He steadily moved up the depth chart, and by midway through the 2019 season, he had earned a starting position at linebacker. That year, he started eight of the 14 games he played, finishing with 56 tackles, a team-leading 6.5 sacks, and 7.5 tackles for loss, establishing himself as a disruptive force on defense.
Patrick O’Connell Career
College Career at Montana (2019–2022)
O’Connell’s career at Montana continued to ascend after his breakthrough 2019 season. He appeared in just two games during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, but he returned in 2021 to have a breakout year that would establish him as one of the top defensive players in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). He recorded 105 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks, earning first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors and first-team All-American recognition. His dominant performance placed him third in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given annually to the best defensive player in the FCS.
After receiving an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, O’Connell returned for a final season with the Grizzlies in 2022. Although he missed three games due to injury, he still managed to lead the conference with eight sacks and recorded 14 tackles for loss along with 73 tackles, earning first-team All-Big Sky honors for the second consecutive year. When his Montana career concluded, he ranked fourth all-time in school history for tackles for loss and sixth in sacks. He was invited to the Hula Bowl to showcase his skills for NFL scouts following the conclusion of his collegiate career.
Seattle Seahawks (2023–Present)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, O’Connell signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. He made a strong impression during the preseason, ranking second on the team with 17 tackles, but was released at the final roster cuts and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers but was inactive for that contest. O’Connell was signed to the active roster on December 30, 2023, and made his NFL debut the following day on his 25th birthday, recording one tackle in his only game played during the 2023 season.
During the 2024 season, O’Connell continued his journey with the organization. He was waived by the Seahawks on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 27, 2024, continuing his pattern of working his way up from the practice squad. The following year, in 2025, he again was waived as part of final roster cuts on August 26 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day before being promoted to the active roster on November 26, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a linebacker, O’Connell has demonstrated a combination of instincts, playmaking ability, and physicality that allowed him to excel at the FCS level. His success at Montana, where he accumulated impressive tackle and sack totals, showcased his ability to diagnose plays quickly and penetrate the backfield. His speed and technique enabled him to lead the Big Sky Conference in sacks during his senior season, and his tackle-for-loss production ranked among the best in school history.
Notable Events and Milestones
The highlight of O’Connell’s professional career came when he played in Super Bowl LX, a game in which the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots by a score of 29-13. He recorded one tackle in the championship game, becoming a Super Bowl champion in his second season with the team. This victory represented the culmination of his journey from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl champion.
Patrick O’Connell Career Wins
Throughout his football career, Patrick O’Connell has accumulated numerous accolades and achievements at both the collegiate and professional levels. His production at Montana placed him among the elite defensive players in FCS history, and his Super Bowl victory represents the pinnacle of his professional career.
College Highlights
At Montana, O’Connell established himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in the Football Championship Subdivision. His career totals include ranking fourth all-time in school history for tackles for loss and sixth in sacks. He earned first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors in both 2021 and 2022, along with first-team All-American recognition following his 2021 season in which he finished third in Buck Buchanan Award voting. His senior season saw him lead the conference with eight sacks despite missing three games to injury.
Professional Achievements
O’Connell’s professional career reached its highest point when he contributed to the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX championship over the New England Patriots. His NFL statistics through the 2025 season include 22 total tackles across his time with the organization. From his debut on December 31, 2023, to his role in the Super Bowl victory, he has established himself as a depth piece on the Seahawks defense.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another step in O’Connell’s development with the Seattle Seahawks. He was initially waived during final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, before being re-signed to the practice squad the following day, a familiar pattern that demonstrated his ability to remain in the organization’s plans. He was promoted to the active roster on November 26, 2025, and continued to contribute on defense. The season culminated with his participation in Super Bowl LX, where he recorded one tackle in the championship game as the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13 to claim the title.