Mike Macdonald knows the Seattle Seahawks need more from their running game, but the head coach expects the return of a 275-pounder to increase “flexibility” on the ground, at a time when offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is experimenting with changes to his familiar zone-base rushing schemes.
Macdonald is referring to beefy fullback Robbie Ouzts, who is expected to play against the Washington Commanders in Week 9. He’s missed the last four games because of an ankle injury, but believes the blocking back’s return is “great. It wasn’t a long practice, but got some good reps in,” per The Tacoma News Tribune’s Gregg Bell.
Having Ouzts back in the lineup will mean a shift in how the Seahawks deploy personnel in the running game. As Macdonald pointed out, “We’ve majored in 12 personnel, 13 personnel. We’ll see how the game plan shakes out, but Robbie provides more two-back flexibility than probably we’ve had.”
New, heavier formations can unlock the so far unfulfilled potential the Seahawks have when running the ball. Kubiak is trying to make the ground game the foundation of his offense, but the results have been far from inspiring.
Seahawks Need Changes in the Running Game
Despite the breakaway talents of Kenneth Walker III, along with the rugged dependability of Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks are scaring nobody with their running game. They “rank eighth in the league in rushing attempts, but are 30th in yards-per-carry average (3.7), per Seahawks.com Senior Reporter John Boyle.
Numbers like those aren’t befitting of Kubiak’s expertise with the famed zone-stretch system. That staple play isn’t yielding much for Walker and Co., but “Teams are dedicated to stopping it — the Seahawks face loaded boxes at the highest rate in the league,” according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic.
Kubiak is attempting to change things to include more counter, gap and straight-ahead power runs. Those plays were used with mixed results during the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans in Week 7.
As Dugar explained, “The pivot would then be to gash teams between the tackles, which the Seahawks attempted — with a little bit of success — against the Texans. But is that the best use of the personnel? They have a light, athletic offensive line, which is why a scheme based on running off the ball was supposed to pop.”
Tight ends not physical enough to hold blocks is another problem, so the Seahawks need to get bigger along the line of scrimmage. Enter Ouzts.
Robbie Ouzts’ Return Boosts One-Dimensional Offense
He’s just a rookie, but 2025 NFL draft fifth-round pick Ouzts has already made a positive impact. Like when he helped Walker rush for 105 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.
Ouzts delivered a series of crushing blocks, with the best highlighted by NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger.
That’s the kind of difference a fullback the size of a defensive lineman can make. Putting some more oomph into their rushing concepts is how the Seahawks move the ball more effectively on the ground.
It’s also how Kubiak can begin transitioning away from having backs attack the perimeter behind zone blocking. Instead, Ouzts can lead the way for a smash-mouth approach finally productive enough to adequately complement prolific quarterback Sam Darnold, who is playing at an MVP-worthy level.
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