Jimmy Graham (2015-16) and John Carlson (2008) are the only Seattle tight ends to eclipse the 600-yard receiving mark in a season. And since 2017, the Seahawks are one of just two NFL teams that haven\u2019t had a tight end reach that threshold, according to Stathead<\/a>.<\/p>\n But that could change under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.<\/p>\n Tight ends are a major part of Kubiak\u2019s Shanahan-style scheme<\/a>, as evidenced during his stint as the New Orleans Saints\u2019 OC last year. Kubiak\u2019s Saints used \u201c12 personnel\u201d (one running back and two tight ends) at the seventh-highest rate in the league (30%), and \u201c13 personnel\u201d (one running back and three tight ends) at the fourth-highest rate (8.3%), according to Sumer Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n Given how important tight ends are to Kubiak\u2019s system, former NFL wide receiver Michael Bumpus<\/a> thinks their production this season will provide a strong indicator of how well the Seahawks\u2019 offense is functioning as a whole.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s gonna be a good indicator, because that\u2019s gonna mean that (the tight ends are) able to slip up the seam and get open because the run game is good,\u201d Bumpus said during a recent Four Down Territory segment on Seattle Sports\u2019 Bump and Stacy.<\/p>\n \u201cI think (wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba) could go for 1,200 yards and this team could win five games. If you have a tight end go for 500, 600, 700 yards and six to seven touchdowns, this team\u2019s gonna win 10 games easily, because that means everything else is working.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Kubiak has a promising trio of tight ends to work with in Seattle. Noah Fant and rookie second-round pick Elijah Arroyo<\/a> can both stretch the field with their speed and athleticism, while second-year pro AJ Barner is coming off a productive four-touchdown rookie campaign last season.<\/p>\n \u201cI talk about receivers being the most dependent position group on the football field \u2013 the tight end controls the game,\u201d Bumpus said. \u201cThe tight end is an indicator of how well the run game is going and how well the pass game is going.\u201d<\/p>\n Listen to the full Four Down Territory segment at this link<\/a> or in the audio player near the bottom of this story. Tune in to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.<\/p>\n Seattle Seahawks news and analysis<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Bump: What makes rookie TE Elijah Arroyo a \u2018luxury player\u2019 for Seahawks<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Bump: Another O-line target for Seattle Seahawks to consider<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0How will Seahawks QB Sam Darnold fare in 2025? 3 insiders weigh in<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Insider on Seahawks: Why Macdonald\u2019s defensive scheme stands out<\/a>
\u2022 Bump: Seattle Seahawks RB Kenny McIntosh could shine under new OC<\/a><\/p>\n
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