The Seahawks are hiring Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for the same position in Seattle, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Kubiak emerged as an early favorite for the job and completed a second, in-person interview last week. He will replace Ryan Grubb, who lasted just one year after being picked as Mike Macdonald‘s first offensive coordinator.
While the Saints have not made a final decision in their search for a new head coach, Kubiak was not expected to stay on the staff in New Orleans. He interviewed with the Browns before they promoted Tommy Rees and was mentioned as a possibility for the Texans after they fired Bobby Slowik.
Seattle, though, has plenty of obvious appeal for Kubiak. Working under a defensive-minded head coach like Macdonald will give Kubiak a freer reign over the offense. He’s accustomed to such an arrangement, as his first two OC jobs were under defensive coaches (Mike Zimmer in Minnesota, Dennis Allen in New Orleans). The Seahawks also have a stable quarterback situation with Geno Smith and an elite duo at wide receiver in D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kubiak will have to reform a leaky offensive line that allowed 54 sacks in 2024 (third-most in the NFL), though he will do so with Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas returning at left and right tackle, respectively. Lucas’ health will be crucial, but the pair of linemen can provide a solid foundation to the rest of the unit.
Both sides will be hoping that their new partnership lasts more than one year. Kubiak will become the Seahawks’ third offensive coordinator in three years, while his two previous stints as OC were only for one season.
Before deciding on Kubiak, Seattle interviewed a total of seven candidates, the most of any team seeking a new offensive coordinator to date. That list includes Ravens run game coordinator Travis Switzer, who interviewed for the job over the weekend, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Switzer helped offensive coordinator Todd Monken find the best ways to unleash Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the Ravens’ league-leading rushing offense in 2024. He also has a history with Macdonald after the two overlapped for six years in Baltimore.
The Seahawks still seemed to prefer Kubiak the entire time. His early flashes of brilliance last season were quickly derailed by a litany of injuries that left the Saints’ offense limping to the finish line. New Orleans still outpaced Seattle’s inefficient rushing offense, which was a key factor in Grubbs’ dismissal. Macdonald will be hoping that Kubiak can find the best way to utilize Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet in 2025.