New Seahawks offensive coordinator Klink Kubiak has stated his desired use of a fullback in 2025.
Fullbacks are back!
In offensive coordinator, Klink Kubiak’s introductory press conference, he stated that he likes to use 21 personnel (two running backs/one tight end) and 12 personnel (1 running back/two tight ends) and that he “certainly love[s] playing with a fullback.” Kubiak also mentioned that this would all come down to personnel and putting the best eleven guys out on the field, even mentioning current tight ends like Noah Fant, AJ Barner, and Brady Russell, or even the likes of Byron Murphy II line up at fullback. However, Kubiak’s usage of a fullback may ask for more than just bandaid options at the position, and rather could lead Seattle to look for a permanent player to play the position. Either way, this statement about fullbacks should bring great joy and excitement to Seahawks fans, that fullbacks are coming back to Seattle!
The Seahawks have a strong history of dominant fullbacks. John L. Williams (playing in Seattle from 1986-1993) helped block for Curt Warner throughout the late 1980’s and then earned two Pro Bowls for the Seahawks in 1990 and 1991.
After Williams, came Mack Strong who played fourteen years in the NFL, all with Seattle (1993-2007). During that span, Strong only missed four games, and helped block for three iconic Seahawks running backs (Chris Warren, Ricky Waters, and Shaun Alexander). Strong earned two pro-bowl nods in 2005 and 2006, as well as an All-Pro First Team honor in 2005 after leading the way for the 2005 NFL MVP, Shaun Alexander. Strong was so dominant, that he even was ranked the third best fullback of all time by Kyle Brandt. Lastly, Strong was a five-time Steve Largent Award Winner (2001, 2002, 2004-2006), the most times a Seahawk has earned the honor.
Only three years after Strong left Seattle, the Seahawks brought in Michael Robinson from the arch-rival, San Francisco 49ers. Robinson, who many of you know now for his post playing, media career, was the leading fullback for the Seahawks, and Marshawn Lynch from 2010-2013, earning himself a pro bowl nod in 2011. During his time in Seattle, Robinson was considered a leader for the team, having earned special teams co-captain status twice in 2011 and 2012, and helped lead the Seahawks to the Super Bowl XLVIII victory over the Denver Broncos in 2013.
Other notable, more recent fullbacks for the Seahawks include Derrick Coleman (2012-2015), Will Tukuafu (2014-2016), Tre Madden (2016-2018), and Nick Bellore (2019-2023), although Bellore seldom played on offense.
In more recent years, the Seahawks have sparingly used a fullback, and when they did, they opted to lineup other skill positions in the backfield (Dareke Young, Brady Russell). In fact, Seattle has not rostered a true fullback since 2021 when Bellore was still rostered as a fullback (in 2022 he switched to linebacker as his primary position.)
However, now that Klink Kubiak is in town, who could Seattle bring in to play fullback? There are three different routes they could go: (1) move a current player to fullback, (2) free agency/trade market, and/or (3) the draft.
(1) Move a current player to fullback.
Looking at option one, would the Seahawks want to move a current player to fullback permanently? In 2024, Seattle deployed many tight ends, and running backs, and even wide receivers (like Dareke Young) to the backfield to play fullback. However, with Kubiak in town, it is unlikely Seattle would continue this approach. Rather, could the Seahawks look to permanently move a current player to fullback? If Seattle were to look at a current player on the roster, the best option may be Brady Russell.
According to PFF, in 2024, Brady Russell had 33 snaps on offense, of which 18 were in the backfield as a fullback. At 6’3, 250 pounds, Russell could easily make the move as well. Adding to this, Russell has excelled on special teams the last two seasons, enough to earn him a roster spot in 2023 and 2024. However, he has yet to make much of a mark on offense, and it looks to be tough for him to find a role with the likes of Noah Fant and AJ Barner in front of him on the depth chart. Even if Fant becomes a cap casualty, Seattle is surely to add a tight end or two to battle Russell for a roster spot this summer. Making the move to fullback may be the better option for Russell to keep his roster spot this next season. Kubiak, in his opening press-conference even mentioned Russell as an option to lineup at fullback next season.
However, if Russell chooses to stay at tight end, or even if he makes the move to fullback, the Seahawks will be inclined to look for outside options as well – via free agency/trade market and/or the draft. So, who may be available through those routes?
(2) Free Agency/Trade Market
If the Seahawks were to look at the free agent market, there are only five unrestricted free agent fullbacks, according to Spotrac. This depleted market is not to say there are not good fullbacks out there; it is more so a statement about how the fullback position has gone away from the NFL over the last decade-plus. Seattle could consider trading, however with good options in free agency, and the draft, and with few NFL teams rostering true fullbacks, giving up a player or pick would seem like a high price in this small but still saturated market.
Looking at those five free agents, they are Patrick Ricard (from the Baltimore Ravens), Reggie Gilliam (from the Buffalo Bills), Michael Burton (from the Denver Broncos), Nick Bellore (from the Washington Commanders), and Adam Prentice (from the New Orleans Saints.) Of this list, two names stand out right away – Bellore and Ricard. Bellore obviously stands out due to his history with Seattle, however at nearly 36 years old, he may not be the best option. Ricard stands out as well due to his history with the Ravens and Mike Macdonald. However, coming off of an All-Pro 2024 season, would Seattle be willing to pay a higher dollar amount for a fullback. Lastly, would Ricard even want to leave the backfield of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry? For these reasons, the question marks around Bellore and Ricard make them seem like less likely options.
Rather, the name to keep an eye on for Seattle would be Adam Prentice. Prentice, has been with the Saints since 2021 and played under Kubiak last season. This alone would put Prentice at the top of the list. However, he is also only 28 years old, and would likely be able to come in on a near veteran-minimum deal.
Some other options, that are not just yet free agents are CJ Ham and Taysom Hill. Ham, could be a possible cap casualty, as the Vikings could save $2.65 million if they were to cut Ham. Kubiak, who coached Ham when he was with the Vikings in 2019-2021 could be enough reason for the Seahawks to give Ham a call. However, the Vikings currently have over $58 million in cap space, so would $2.65 million in savings be worth losing their fullback? Likely not.
Hill on the other hand, is with the New Orleans Saints who are not doing great cap wise. The Saints, who are currently $54.1 million over the cap, could save $10 million by designating Hill as a post-June 1st cut. Hill played with Kubiak last season, and saw 65 snaps in the backfield (not as a quarterback). Hill obviously would bring his jack of all trades skill set to Seattle as well, which could make for one of the more intriguing options. The only concerns here will be his recovery from a December ACL injury, and his age of 35.
(3) NFL Draft
If Seattle were to want to bring in a rookie at fullback, they will have some interesting options as well. Mel Kiper ranked his top ten fullbacks/h-backs, many of which will likely be listed as tight ends in pre-draft rankings. Of these top ten, the top three are Oronde Gadsden II out of Syracuse, Harold Fannin Jr. out of Bowling Green, and Jake Briningstool out of Clemson. All three played tight end in college, however their skillsets could transition over to fullback as well. Gadsden and Fannin Jr. are currently projecting to be day two picks, while Briningstool is projected as a day three pick.
One last intriguing tight end/h-back/fullback option for Seattle, perhaps as a day three pick/undrafted free agent is Gee Scott Jr. If that name sounds familiar, that is because Gee Scott Sr. has been a regular media presence/radio host for Seattle over the last decade-plus (from Driving with Gee to the more recent KJ All Day podcasts with KJ Wright). However, enough about Senior. Gee Scott Jr. initially committed to Ohio State to play wide receiver in 2021. However, Scott Jr. transitioned to tight end while with the Buckeyes and ended up posting his best season in 2024 with 27 receptions for 253 yards, and two touchdowns. Similar to Gadsden, Fannin Jr., and Briningstool, Scott Jr. could make for an intriguing and fun addition to the Seahawks roster, either as a tight end or as a fullback.
Regardless of who Seattle brings in, or how they bring them in (whether by permanently moving a player, through free agency, or the draft) the most important part of this article is that fullbacks are back in the Pacific Northwest!