Mike Macdonald swung for the fences with his first offensive coordinator.
This time, he’s less likely to strike out.
The Seahawks announced the hiring of Klint Kubiak to call plays for a team that struggled at times in 2024 under Ryan Grubb, who was fired Jan. 6
Grubb turned out to be a big swing and a miss by the Seahawks, who finished 10-7 and missed the playoffs for a second straight year. While his offenses thrived at the University of Washington, the Seahawks averaged just 22 points per game in Grubb’s first coaching experience at the NFL level.
Though Kubiak is still relatively young at 37 — the same age as Macdonald — he’s called plays for two NFL teams. As will be the case in Seattle, Kubiak worked under head coaches with defensive backgrounds in Minnesota (Mike Zimmer) and New Orleans (Dennis Allen). Kubiak found himself job-hunting when those coaches were fired.
As San Francisco’s passing coordinator in 2023, then-rookie Brock Purdy had a breakout season. The Saints offense thrived early in 2024, then failed when starting quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara were lost with injuries.
Kubiak, the son of former head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback Gary Kubiak, brings experiences at the pro level that Grubb lacked. It appears to be a safer hire. Whether it’s pedigree or some old-fashioned NFL nepotism, Kubiak knows his way around an NFL locker room.
Now, will Macdonald’s more controlled swing at a second offensive coordinator work? Kubiak’s challenge will be to get the most out of an offensive line that has not played at a high level since the middle of the previous decade. Grubb brought offensive line coach Scott Huff over from UW, and it was not yet known whether the veteran college offensive line coach will continue with the Seahawks or if Kubiak will bring in a face more familiar to him.
Kubiak comes from the Mike Shanahan coaching tree and prefers an outside zone-read running offense. General manager John Schneider, Macdonald and Kubiak will have some decisions to make about the current offensive line group. Though tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas seem likely to stick around, the middle of the line will be a major question mark as free agency and the draft approach.
“We want our offense to be a physical unit and dictate terms of the defense,” Macdonald said on Jan. 7. “(We want to) play complementary football and get the ball to our playmakers frequently and in space, and let our quarterback play fast.”
And, what does Kubiak think of starting quarterback Geno Smith? We may find out more by March 16. The Seahawks will need to extend Geno Smith or release him prior to that date, or stick with a $44.5 million cap hit for next season. It’s a solid bet that Schneider Macdonald and Kubiak have some idea of which direction they want to go, and what kind of deal Smith would accept.
Macdonald and Schneider spent three weeks to find their guy. The Seahawks are known to have granted second interviews to three candidates. Detroit offensive line coach Hank Fraley decided to stay with the Lions after a promotion and a raise, and it’s not certain whether or not the Seahawks made him an offer. Vikings assistant offensive coordinator Grant Udinksi also received strong consideration.
Kubiak feels like the safer choice.
Kubiak’s ability to get the most out of an offense that has some significant pieces — but also some holes — will go a long way toward determining the success level of a team that missed playoffs by the fifth tiebreaker. Though Schneider and Macdonald are nowhere near a hot seat, things could get a little toasty if Kubiak fails to deliver.
This story originally appeared in seattlesportsnow.com, of which Aaron Coe is a co-founder. Follow Coe on X: @Coe_Aaron
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
