 When McKay left to become the President and General Manager of the Atlanta Falcons in 2004 Ruskell went with him as the Assistant General Manager.In 2005, Ruskell replaced Bob Whitsitt as the General Manager of the Seattle Seahawks.In his first season in Seattle, Ruskell made a few roster changes that helped the Seahawks, bringing in free agents and drafting college players that played pivotal roles in the Seahawks' run to Super Bowl XL.