The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl playing high-level football on both sides of the ball. Sustaining that standard, however, requires difficult decisions \u2014 and few are more important than replacing Klint Kubiak at offensive coordinator.<\/p>\n
In this piece, we\u2019ll lay out both sides of the argument: why there are reasons to believe in Brian Fleury \u2014 and why skepticism is fair.<\/p>\n
The context behind the hire<\/p>\n
It was not an ideal hiring cycle for teams in search of an experienced play-caller. The \u201cgood problem\u201d of advancing to the Super Bowl limited Seattle\u2019s window to pursue some of the top names on the market. Coaches such as Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel, and even Arthur Smith \u2014 who had previously been linked to Seattle before the Ryan Grubb hire \u2014 were effectively out of reach.<\/p>\n
As a result, the Seahawks were always likely to turn to a candidate without established play-calling experience in their search for a new offensive coordinator.<\/p>\n
The case against Brian Fleury<\/p>\n
The most obvious concern is Fleury\u2019s lack of proven experience as a primary play-caller. While head coach Mike Macdonald said during Fleury\u2019s introductory press conference that play-calling can be \u201coverrated,\u201d<\/a> that statement deserves scrutiny.<\/p>\n Sequencing plays, making real-time adjustments, managing tempo, and handling high-leverage moments are skills typically refined through repetition. Seattle has already dealt with recent offensive inconsistency under both Ryan Grubb and Shane Waldron. Waldron, in particular, is a cautionary tale: a respected offensive mind whose results as a coordinator didn\u2019t match expectations \u2014 especially when compared to his work in a more specialized role such as Passing Game Coordinator.<\/p>\n Another concern is production. Fleury carried the title of Run Game Coordinator last season in San Francisco. Here are the 49ers\u2019 yards per carry and rushing touchdowns in recent years:<\/p>\n 2025: 3.8 YPC, 15 TDs2024: 4.7 YPC, 17 TDs2023: 4.8 YPC, 27 TDs2022: 4.7 YPC, 20 TDs2021: 4.3 YPC, 22 TDs2020: 4.3 YPC, 19 TDs2019: 4.6 YPC, 23 TDs2018: 4.5 YPC, 7 TDs2017: 4.1 YPC, 15 TDs<\/p>\n According to ESPN\u2019s Brady Henderson<\/a>, Fleury had involvement in the run game even before officially receiving the RGC title, though details about the extent of that role remain unclear.<\/p>\n As tight ends coach, Fleury worked with George Kittle, but the job was more about sustaining elite production than developing raw talent. Outside of Kittle, the results were modest. A third-round investment in Cameron Latu did not yield significant returns, and Luke Farrell never became a meaningful offensive factor. Perhaps the only spark was Jake Tonges, who emerged from obscurity to score five touchdowns last season.<\/p>\n The case for Brian Fleury<\/p>\n The strongest argument in favor of Fleury is continuity.<\/p>\n In theory, his hire preserves the offensive identity rooted in the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, as installed by Klint Kubiak. The wide-zone foundation, heavy under-center play-action, pre-snap motion, and multi-tight end usage demand timing, cohesion, and repetition. Changing systems now would risk stalling offensive momentum.<\/p>\n Fleury\u2019s background coaching tight ends is especially relevant in this structure. The position is central to the Shanahan-style system, and his involvement in both the run and pass games suggests a more holistic view of offensive design.<\/p>\n The use of 12 personnel (one RB, two TEs) is structural. It balances the run and pass, forces defenses into base packages, and opens intermediate windows off play-action. For a roster still seeking consistency in pass protection, this approach can help mask offensive line deficiencies. Fleury will also have the opportunity to work with the upside of Elijah Arroyo, a player who could thrive in this framework.<\/p>\n Another intriguing element is Fleury\u2019s defensive background. He previously coached linebackers and edge defenders and served in quality control roles. That perspective may enhance his ability to anticipate defensive adjustments and counter accordingly.<\/p>\n