Matthew Jason Russell (born July 5, 1973) is an American football executive who is the Director of Player Personnel for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Russell also was a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for a single season. He played college football for the University of Colorado, earned All-American honors and won the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in America. He played professionally for the NFL's Detroit Lions from 1997-1999.