Patrick O'connell

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		15	22	1.0	—
2025		9	19	1.0	0
2024		5	2	0.0	0
2023		1

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Seattle struck gold with this Patrick O'Connell signing, landing an A- CVI that represents exceptional value in today's linebacker market. Getting a rotational player at just $1.1M AAV is the kind of shrewd roster building that championship teams execute — comparable rotational linebackers are typically commanding $2-3M annually in free agency. The one-year structure is pure upside for the Seahawks, giving them a cost-controlled asset who can contribute immediately in sub-packages while potentially developing into something more substantial. O'Connell's production tier suggests he's already carved out a legitimate NFL role, making this low-risk investment even more appealing given the minimal financial commitment. This deal exemplifies smart cap management, allowing Seattle to allocate resources elsewhere while securing quality depth at a premium position where injuries frequently create opportunities for expanded roles.

Performance Analysis

Patrick O'Connell is a second-year linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, still carving out a defined role across just 15 career games. At 27, his developmental window is narrowing, and his current D grade reflects a player yet to establish himself as a reliable contributor. Among NFL linebackers, O'Connell ranks well below average across nearly every measurable category this season. The numbers tell a difficult story. His 2.11 tackles per game falls far short of the NFL average of 3.80, and elite linebackers are recording 7.69 — nearly four times his output. His TFL rate of 0.11 per game is a fraction of the league average of 0.40, signaling limited disruption behind the line of scrimmage. His sack rate of 0.11 per game also trails the 0.23 league average, leaving him without a consistent pass-rush identity. His season trend offers little encouragement — grades of F in both 2024 and 2025, with only a modest D+ in 2023 providing any upward reference point. The trajectory has moved in the wrong direction. Seattle will need to see dramatic improvement in his tackle efficiency and run-stopping presence to justify a continued roster spot. O'Connell's best path forward is as a core special-teamer who gradually grows into a situational defensive role — but time is working against him.

Current Sentiment

Patrick O'Connell enters the 2026 NFL season riding an extraordinary wave of positive momentum after becoming a Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, a remarkable achievement for an undrafted player out of the University of Montana. His odds-defying journey has captured significant regional and national media attention, framing him as one of the more compelling human-interest stories of the 2025 NFL season. O'Connell's timely sack of Cam Ward during the Super Bowl run provided a tangible, highlight-worthy moment that elevated his visibility well beyond what his raw career statistics would typically command. While his on-field production remains modest — just one career sack heading into his third year — the championship pedigree and the narrative surrounding his rise from small-school prospect to Super Bowl winner give him a perception boost that far exceeds his statistical profile. Fan and media sentiment is genuinely warm and celebratory, and he enters 2026 as a feel-good story with legitimate job security on a championship roster, though sustained statistical production will be necessary to shift his reputation from inspirational role player to recognized NFL contributor.