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 of the Big Sky Conference. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023, O’Connell has steadily worked his way up the depth chart, contributing to Seattle’s defense since his rookie season.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 225 pounds, O’Connell has built his reputation as a hard-working linebacker known for his tackling ability and pass-rush skills. After stints on the Seahawks’ practice squad, he has continued to carve out a role on the active roster and remains a part of Seattle’s defensive plans.
Early Life and Background
Patrick O’Connell was born and raised in Kalispell, Montana, where he grew up with a strong focus on baseball. He attended Glacier High School and was a three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball. During his time at Glacier, O’Connell served as captain of the baseball team for three seasons and captained both the football and basketball teams in his senior year.
O’Connell helped his teams reach five state championships while at Glacier High School, including a state football title in 2014 and a basketball title in 2017. He was a first-team all-conference selection in baseball in his final two seasons and earned first-team all-state honors in the sport on one occasion. In football, he received second-team all-conference recognition as a junior and first-team honors as a senior, while also being named first-team all-state on both offense and defense during his senior year.
Playing linebacker and fullback, O’Connell was named the state football defensive most valuable player in 2016, 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. Following high school, O’Connell committed to play both college football and college baseball for the Mary Marauders.
Path to American Football
O’Connell began his collegiate athletic career at the University of Mary, where he appeared in 10 games for the Marauders football team in 2017. During that freshman season, he recorded 33 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss while also scoring a defensive touchdown. His time at Mary allowed him to gain valuable experience at the college level and prepare for a more prominent stage.
In 2018, O’Connell made the decision to leave Mary, giving up his athletic scholarship and his 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. By midway through the 2019 season, his steady progress earned him a starting role at linebacker, where he went on to record 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 7.5 tackles for loss in eight starts across 14 games.
O’Connell’s path to the NFL took shape during his standout 2021 season at Montana. He finished the year with 105 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks, earning first-team All-Big Sky Conference and first-team All-American honors. That same year, he placed third in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Patrick O’Connell Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
O’Connell’s early college career began at the University of Mary, where he served primarily as a reserve linebacker. His freshman campaign provided his first extended look at the college game, and his 33 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a defensive touchdown pointed to a promising future.
After transferring to Montana as a walk-on in 2018, O’Connell dedicated himself to learning the Grizzlies’ defensive system. His work ethic earned him the defensive scout team player of the year award during his redshirt season, and by the 2019 season, he had earned a starting role. That year, he finished among the team’s leaders in sacks and tackles for loss, setting the foundation for his breakout 2021 campaign.
Montana Grizzlies Breakthrough (2020–2022)
The 2020 season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting O’Connell to just two games. When the Grizzlies returned to a full schedule in 2021, however, O’Connell emerged as one of the top defensive players in the FCS. His combination of tackling and pass-rush production made him a constant disruptive force in the backfield.
His 2021 totals of 105 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks earned him first-team All-Big Sky Conference and first-team All-American recognition, along with a third-place finish for the Buck Buchanan Award. Returning for a final season in 2022 with extra eligibility, O’Connell missed three games due to injury but still produced 73 tackles, a conference-leading eight sacks, and 14 tackles for loss, earning first-team All-Big Sky honors once again.
By the end of his Montana career, O’Connell ranked fourth in school history in tackles for loss and sixth in sacks. He capped his college career with an invitation to the Hula Bowl, signaling his readiness for the next level.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2023–Present)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, O’Connell signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. He impressed during the preseason, finishing second on the team with 17 tackles, but was released at final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for Seattle’s Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers but was inactive, before being signed to the active roster on December 30, 2023.
O’Connell made his NFL debut the following day, December 31, 2023, on his 25th birthday, recording a tackle in what was his only appearance that season. In 2024, he was waived on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on November 27. He was again waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, before being promoted back to the active roster on November 26, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
O’Connell brings a blue-collar playing style to the linebacker position, built on relentless pursuit, strong tackling fundamentals, and a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. His college production in tackles for loss and sacks reflects an ability to win one-on-one matchups and finish plays. At Seattle, he has embraced a developmental path, using the practice squad to refine his technique and earn his opportunities on game day.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of O’Connell’s young career came on December 31, 2023, when he made his NFL debut on his 25th birthday and recorded a tackle. Earlier milestones include his 2016 state football defensive MVP award, his 2021 All-American season, and his invitation to the Hula Bowl. Each step has reinforced his reputation as a resilient, hard-working linebacker.
Patrick O’Connell Career Wins
Patrick O’Connell’s career has been defined more by steady development and individual honors than by championship wins. His most celebrated achievements include a 2014 state football championship with Glacier High School and a 2017 state basketball title. At the collegiate level, his honors, such as first-team All-American and All-Big Sky Conference selections, stand as the most prominent markers of his success.
Montana Grizzlies Highlights
During his time with the Montana Grizzlies, O’Connell did not capture a conference or national championship, but his individual accolades were significant. He was a two-time first-team All-Big Sky Conference selection in 2021 and 2022, and his 2021 first-team All-American honor marked one of the most decorated seasons in program history. He finished his Montana career ranked among the school’s all-time leaders in tackles for loss and sacks.
Other Wins and Performances
In high school, O’Connell helped Glacier win a state football championship in 2014 and a state basketball title in 2017, contributing to five total state championship appearances. At the University of Mary, he appeared in 10 games as a freshman and posted a productive stat line, laying the groundwork for his later success at Montana. His professional résumé remains a work in progress, with his NFL career still in its early stages.
Patrick O’Connell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited public information is available about Patrick O’Connell’s family background. He was raised in Kalispell, Montana, where he developed his multi-sport athletic foundation that carried him to the college and professional ranks.
Personal Life
Patrick O’Connell’s personal life remains largely private. He has not publicly shared details about a spouse or children, and he continues to focus on his professional football career with the Seattle Seahawks.
2025 Season Performance
Patrick O’Connell’s 2025 season with the Seattle Seahawks followed a familiar pattern of perseverance. After being waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, he was re-signed to the practice squad the next day, continuing his role as a reliable depth piece on Seattle’s defense. His promotion to the active roster on November 26, 2025, offered another opportunity to contribute down the stretch of the season.
Throughout the year, O’Connell has remained committed to refining his linebacker craft and contributing on special teams when called upon. His journey from undrafted free agent to a player who has earned multiple elevations to the active roster speaks to his value within the Seahawks’ organization and his relentless approach to the game.
Looking ahead, O’Connell’s priority will be to solidify his standing on the active roster and expand his defensive role. With continued development and consistency, he has the opportunity to remain a steady contributor to Seattle’s linebacker corps and build on the foundation he has established since 2023.