With the typical spate of firings taking place after the NFL regular season concludes, there’s a chance the Seahawks could be left looking for an offensive coordinator for the third year in a row.
There are six vacancies currently — the Giants, Titans, Falcons, Raiders, Browns and Cardinals. It’s unclear if there could be more, with slight questions over John Harbaugh’s future in Baltimore.
The Falcons have reportedly already requested an interview with Klint Kubiak. It’s not a surprise. Arthur Blank has experienced a lot of average-to-bad football over the years. His team, however, went to a Super Bowl when Kyle Shanahan was offensive coordinator.
So what are the chances of Kubiak being one-and-done in Seattle?
NFL teams with young quarterbacks tend to want to pair them with play-calling Head Coaches for obvious reasons.
It stands to reason that the Giants (Jaxson Dart), Titans (Cam Ward) and Falcons (Michael Penix Jr) might want to create a long term HC/QB partnership. With the Raiders picking first overall and destined to draft either Dante Moore or Fernando Mendoza with the top pick, they will also surely consider such an arrangement.
It’s also common for teams to do the opposite of what they’ve done before. For example, will the Cardinals now look for an offensive identity after firing the defensive-minded Jonathan Gannon? The Titans appear keen to go for experience after previously hiring first-timer Brian Callahan.
It’s a deeper pool of defensive coaches this year (Jeff Hafley, Vance Joseph, Brian Flores, Chris Shula, Jesse Minter, Robert Saleh) but I wouldn’t rule out teams with a QB-led focus primarily sticking to offensive candidates.
Kevin Stefanski being fired by the Browns probably helps if you’re minded to root for Kubiak to stay in Seattle.
He’s already getting interest, reportedly, from the Giants, Titans and Falcons. He ticks multiple boxes as someone with experience, he’s offensive-minded and he’s enjoyed personal success (two-time NFL coach of the year).
Stefanski is virtually guaranteed to get a Head Coaching job and he’ll probably be able to hand-pick which one he takes.
The problem is the lack of alternatives. Are teams seriously going to give Kliff Kingsbury a second go-around after a disappointing season for the Commanders? Is Joe Brady’s stock high enough in Buffalo after a slight down year for the Bills?
Expect Grant Udinski to emerge as a hot name. He was seen as a wunderkind in Minnesota before taking the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator job. Along with Head Coach Liam Coen, Udinski seems to have helped salvage the career of Trevor Lawrence — who was incredible over the last few weeks.
Don’t be surprised if teams like the Cardinals, who won’t necessarily be a destination gig for people like Stefanski, try to recruit Udinski — sensing he might have a Sean McVay-type aura to him. Heck, teams might even be satisfied trying to find the next Coen.
The Cardinals could also go after Kubiak for similar reasons. He’s an offensive mind at a time when they appear set to make changes at quarterback.
It’s reasonable to think Chris Shula and Jesse Minter could easily end up getting new jobs. Both seem quite highly rated. Nevertheless, Kubiak’s going to be in the mix for sure. There are many reasons why.
He inherited a shambles of an offense from Ryan Grubb and despite sweeping changes (changing quarterback, trading DK Metcalf) he created the #10 ranked unit per DVOA. He has led a staff that has transformed the O-line performance and helped turn Jaxon Smith-Njigba into a star.
The Seahawks are winning and part of Kubiak’s allure will be tapping into what has worked in the Pacific North West. This is as much about hiring from Seattle as anything.
Many will note he isn’t the most dynamic speaker in the media but regardless of how he communicates, it’s still easy for an owner to win the initial press conference by introducing Kubiak. You pitch that you’re bringing in a bright, young offensive mind who has worked with Shanahan (also not the most dynamic media presence), succeeded in Seattle and his Dad was a Super Bowl winning Head Coach with the Broncos.
That ticks a lot of boxes.
I’ve seen it mentioned that the fact he and his family have had to move cities in five consecutive years might make him reluctant to make it six by moving again. I’m not buying that.
If it’s his burning ambition to be a NFL Head Coach, that is a very difficult thing to turn down. Given his family background and his life in football, I’d guess it probably is his aim to get a top job. It sounds great — not doing it now, turning down jobs, waiting until next year. You never know if that opportunity will still be on the table in 12 months.
Even then, you’re moving six times in seven years instead of six in six. It’s still another move. The best way to ensure you’re not moving around all the time is to get a Head Coaching job. If it works out — and that’s what you plan for — you’re not moving for years. It’s the kind of security, not to mention increased pay (which also matters greatly) you’re not getting as an offensive coordinator.
The one thing that would hurt Kubiak’s job prospects, although not hurt him personally I’m sure, is an extended playoff run for the Seahawks. Teams get uncomfortable waiting around. It was actually quite a ballsy move by the Seahawks in 2024 to wait as long as they did for Mike Macdonald. Had they missed out and he’d gone to Washington instead, what then?
If the Seahawks get to the Super Bowl you’d have to really want Klint Kubiak to wait until February.
Clearly the best chance of the Seahawks keeping hold of their offensive coordinator is to make the final game of the NFL season. Let’s hope they do it.
If he ends up moving on it would be a tough pill to swallow, as he’d likely take the staff he brought to Seattle with him. It’d mean major changes again. I also think he’s done an excellent job mostly and it’d be great to see what a second season with Kubiak running the offense looks like.
Who could replace him? The Seahawks seemed to like Mike Kafka quite a lot two years ago. He could be an option. By interviewing Udinski and Hank Fraley a year ago they showed they are also willing to think outside of the box.
