The Seattle Seahawks appear to have found their man to lead the offense into a new era. According to multiple reports, including a notable mention from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the team is expected to hire San Francisco 49ers tight ends coach and run game coordinator Brian Fleury as their new offensive coordinator. This move, once finalized, will fill the significant vacancy left by Klint Kubiak, who departed earlier this offseason to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
For a franchise in the midst of a pivotal transition under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, securing the right offensive architect is arguably the most critical decision of the 2026 offseason. The reported choice of Fleury, a rising coach directly from the roster of their fiercest division rival, sends a clear and intriguing message about the direction the Seahawks intend to take.
The Reported Deal
Sources indicate that the Seahawks and Brian Fleury are working toward an agreement that would see the 49ers assistant join Seattle's staff as offensive coordinator. While the team has yet to issue an official announcement, league insiders widely expect the hiring to be completed shortly.
Fleury would be tasked with replacing Klint Kubiak, whose innovative offensive system helped revitalize Seattle's attack during the 2025 season before his departure to the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching position last month. This timing makes the hire especially important with the NFL Scouting Combine and the upcoming free agency period on the horizon, allowing Seattle's front office and coaching staff to operate with a unified offensive vision.
Who is Brian Fleury?
Brian Fleury may not yet be a household name outside coaching circles, but within the NFL, his reputation is growing rapidly. Fleury has established himself as a key component of one of the league's most productive offenses as the 49ers' tight ends coach and run game coordinator during the past several seasons.
Fleury has developed a strong track record working closely with All-Pro tight end George Kittle, helping foster one of the most dynamic and versatile tight end rooms in football. His developmental skills extend beyond stars, as he has consistently maximized the talents of rotational players and backups, contributing to the 49ers' offensive resilience despite injuries.
His coaching roots are deeply linked to the Shanahan offensive tree. Prior to his tenure with San Francisco, Fleury served as an offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons during Kyle Shanahan's time as their offensive coordinator. Through this experience, Fleury cultivated expertise in the system's core principles: outside zone running, play-action passing, pre-snap motion, and generating explosive plays through precision timing and player deployment.
The Shanahan scheme, widely respected and widely implemented across the NFL, serves as a foundational blueprint for modern offenses. By targeting Fleury, the Seahawks not only recognize this system's success but also secure a coach intimately familiar with its most successful incarnation.
Replacing Kubiak and Defining an Era
Mike Macdonald was hired as Seattle's head coach ahead of the 2025 season, known primarily for his defensive acumen. His partnership with Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator was critical to balancing the team's direction. Kubiak, himself a product of the Shanahan coaching family and San Francisco experience, introduced a modernized, efficient offense that helped reinvigorate the Seahawks' attack.
Kubiak's recent departure for a head coaching role in Las Vegas was a mixed blessing--it validated the Seahawks' offensive progress but created an immediate vacancy. The incoming offensive coordinator faces more than just play calling duties: he will need to maintain continuity, build on quarterback development, and shape the offensive identity alongside Macdonald's defensive philosophy.
Seattle explored a variety of candidates both internally and externally. The decision to recruit Brian Fleury directly from the 49ers represents a bold, strategic move. This hiring explicitly acknowledges the success of the Shanahan system previously implemented in Seattle, while aiming to refine and deepen the team's offensive philosophy with a new voice from the very source.
The symbolic value of poaching a talented coach from a division rival cannot be overstated, but the football rationale is clear. Fleury offers a seamless transition and a direct connection to an offensive philosophy that has dominated the NFC West for years.
What Fleury Brings to Seattle
If confirmed, Fleury's impact will be felt in several key areas from the outset.
Continuity with Innovation. Fleury's background suggests that the Seahawks offense will maintain its current foundation but with fresh interpretations and subtle adjustments to the playbook. This balance between familiarity and innovation should ease the transition for players while pushing the unit toward growth.
Tight End Development. As a tight ends coach with a successful track record, Fleury is particularly well-positioned to maximize Seattle's investments at the position. The Seahawks have added promising talent there in recent drafts, and Fleury's expertise could elevate the group into a core offensive weapon used in multiple alignments to create mismatches.
Division Insight. Fleury's years of working within and preparing for the 49ers' division opponents provide Seattle with valuable tactical insights. Understanding the tendencies and schemes of rivals such as the 49ers, Rams, and Cardinals will be an intangible edge as Seattle prepares offensively for each NFC West matchup.
Run Game Emphasis. The Shanahan system's success is closely tied to its meticulous and flexible outside zone running game. Fleury's role as run game coordinator with San Francisco underscores his capability to build a strong rushing attack, focused on detailed offensive line techniques, running back vision, and setting up play-action opportunities. This aligns directly with Seattle's long-stated desire to re-establish a dominant ground game.
The Road Ahead
While the hiring remains formally unconfirmed, assuming the deal is finalized, Fleury's immediate priority will be collaborating closely with Mike Macdonald and General Manager John Schneider to evaluate the roster, with particular attention to the quarterback position. Fleury will also work to build cohesion within the offensive staff and begin installing his version of the offensive scheme in advance of offseason programs.
The task will not be easy. Fleury will be a first-time NFL play-caller stepping into a high-expectation environment with a passionate fanbase eager to see Seattle's offense return to prominence. Comparisons to his predecessor and to the 49ers' powerhouse offense will be constant.
However, the upside is significant. Seattle's offense features a blend of experience and youthful potential. Fleury's pedigree in one of the league's premier offensive systems gives the Seahawks a roadmap not just to sustain competence but to become a truly explosive, efficient offense that complements a stout Macdonald-led defense.
This expected hiring is more than a staffing update--it is a deliberate statement of identity. The Seahawks are embracing the offensive blueprint that defines their division and aiming to perfect it. By securing a coach from Kyle Shanahan's inner circle, Seattle makes a calculated and aggressive bet on their offensive future. While the expectations will be high, so too is the potential payoff: a transformation that could reshape the competitive landscape of the NFC West.
As Seattle fans look ahead to the 2026 season, Brian Fleury's arrival may well mark a defining moment in the franchise's pursuit of excellence on offense and renewed contention in the NFL.