Great thought piece, and great points re: impact of coordinators leaving.
With that said, personally, I did want to see at least one more year of Kubiak. Partly to see how this offense will grow and change, and partly to see Kubiak continue to grow, as he doesn't have that much coordinator experience under his belt.
I also can't see him being a game changing head coach right now compared to the coaches fired, but I guess it shows the dearth of good coaches available
If I was coaching any candidates for Heading Coaching jobs, I'd be telling them to talk to whomever they want to, but to be very selective. Look at ownership, facilities, head coaching history, roster, organizational philosophy, level of autonomy......all of it. Above all, who is the GM and does that feel like someone you would work very well with. If anything feels off, say no if the job is offered. Having the responsibilities of a head coach without the right environment and support is not enjoyable. Why would anyone put themselves through that? I get the whole money and ambition thing, but enjoying what you are doing is numero uno for me.
Why would anyone go to Cleveland? Dallas? Carolina? Jets? I know Jerry Jones isn't looking for a new coach, but if he was, and I was a brilliant OC or DC and was offered an interview.....I'd be declining in about 2 secs.
It reminds me of musical chairs where each person is on a chair with the name of a team, and then the music starts playing and everyone gets up and moves around the chairs, only one chair is removed each turn. When the music stops you race for the nearest chair. One person gets eliminated each round, but coaches seem like the children on the chairs.
Side note...we seem to be a much improved blocking team this year. We block better at the line, we block better down field, our o line actually blocks down field quite well as do our skill position players. Ouzts and new tight ends (minus Arroyo) are all improvements. I can't help but think it's been a huge focus which is paying off imo.
From my-opic view from the peanut gallery it seems that Coach Benton has done a pretty good job with the talent he has. For all the whining about our O-line I've heard (and been guilty of...sorry Tony) we are, so I hear, Division winners, a #1 seed and have some respectable numbers on Offense. So, is keeping Benton and 'Benton's Bruisers' together for another season likely, or is Kubiak going to drag him off to whatever team he's in charge of next year? Inquiring Bob's want to know.
I began to worry as the speculation about KK moving up and moving out grew. Your short history helped talk me in off the ledge. I see that there are probably plenty of willing and capable candidates to fill in behind Kubiak if needed, however I was lost in the maze at Zimmer. Thanks for the history lesson.
To be honest, even with a bye, I’m more worried about his focus than him leaving. I can’t imagine the time prepping for these interviews is non trivial.
I just read something from Brady Henderson talking about how the Seahawks run game picked up after RB coach Polamalu took his leave of absence. No one said is was related, but my question is, is it related?
We had some chatter on a thread a few days ago about this. Could be coincidence, but I'm thinking it isn't. Obviously that's just pure speculation though on my part.
Devils advocate here, he was also the center when the run game wasn't going. His return shouldn't have made a difference that it hadn't offered before. And it very well may be the reason, but the only change that had a positive outcome was Polamalu leaving. And I am not saying he was the problem, but maybe whoever took his place saw something and tweaked something that made the difference.
The good news for Kubiak is he doesn't have to take a job. He's young, he can wait, and MM can certainly talk him through the process. I wanted to take a moment after cleaning out the chicken house, which is every bit as much fun as it sounds (ah, but the soil it makes...) to look at the QBs he'd be inheriting at each of the current job postings:
(1) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore. Understanding Jackson and Baltimore might be needing a divorce, or that Jackson won a power play with Harbaugh, in which case nobody would want the job. All that said, I don't see this as a great fit for KK's system. Not saying he's not adaptable, but Jackson has a very special, specific skillset.
(2) Jaxson Dart, NY Giants. Second year player, treats his head as a battering ram. My sense is that KK has principally worked with veteran QBs. So I dunno...maybe? Doesn't seem like a New York sorta guy, but I have prejudices well established.
(3) Cleveland Browns. I'm not going to list a QB because they don't have one. That's a problem. If he were able to take Drew Lock (stealing an idea from Michael-Shawn Duggar), I could see this one. Plus he and Stefanski came from the same coaching tree, to the point that Stefanski is mentioned as his replacement.
(4) Michael Penix Jr./Cousins, Atlanta Falcons. I don't even know. To me that looks like two ways to lose at this point, which is a pity, because I believe in Penix, if he can stay healthy.
(5) Kyler Murray or somebody else, Arizona Cardinals. Show me the concept of a plan and maybe we could talk intelligently about it. Otherwise...
(6) Cam Ward, Titans. I lived in Nashville during the McNair years, when the Titans were good. Solid pieces to build around, but how patient is ownership after all the chaos? I mean, they fired potential COTY Mike Vrabel.
(7) Geno Smith or somebody else, Las Vegas (kills me to type that, I was born in Oakland, but not raised there) Raiders. I hope he's smarter than that.
So a couple make sense, maybe, if he wants to.
My question, at the end of all that, is this: All this churn of coaches and assistant coaches, it can't be good for the game. It can't be easy on the players to have new books to learn each season, new languages to master, fresh responsibilities on the field, and all the nitty gritty differences in emphasis positional coaches presumably bring with them. Some of that's probably good, learning new things and all. But we've already got young players who've been on three different college teams, with five different coaching philosophies, and no wonder their fundamentals are a little suspect.
Also, we interviewed some guy named Grant for OC last season, guy who had been the QB whisperer at Minnesota for McCarthy, and got a promotion (but not to OC) with...the Falcons, was it? I wonder if he's still viewed as a prospect.
“looks like two ways to lose” - haha! Although, looking at the Falcons job, gotta mention Bijan. Plus Pitts and London. Some nice pieces there, the receiving talent across multiple positions that KK loves to use.
Bill & Tom's Patriot Adventure was also predicated on consistently playing in the NFL's worst division. Good teams, yes, but bolstered by easily gained home field advantage in Foxboro.
The other tricky part of losing KK would be who else he wants to take with him. If Kubiak takes a head coaching job, does he want to retain Benton and/or Dennison? Does he try to hire Outten or Peetz as his OC? Do we care? Would we try to promote from within or bring in someone new? Would a new OC want to restaff with their own people?
I'm more concerned about the loss of continuity than the loss of Kubiak. I'd like to be good on offense in week one next season and not still figuring it out half way through.
My guess is JS has as much, if not more say in it than MM. I would wonder:
1. How much does MM want to be concerned with the staff top to bottom on that side? If not at all, then I could see him hiring a season HC/OC
2. If JS is running the whole show of coach hirings, then maybe it’s less stress on MM and they go with hiring from within and JS makes sure the one who is promoted is ready and has the right support.
Yep. JS would have to sign off, but he'd want Mike to be totally onboard with whomever it is. He wouldn't bring anyone in that Mike's not excited about.
I think I am nervous because our year with Ryan Grubb is still fresh in my mind. With that said, MM moved on from him fairly quickly and I am sure he has a vision for what he wants for that role.
I took a look at the points output from some of the championship years:
Offensive points per game................Defensive points per game
- 2025: 28.4 points per game..............- 2025: 17.2 points per game.
- 2005: 28.3 points per game..............- 2005: 16.9 points per game.
- 2013: 26.3 points per game..............- 2013: 14..4 points per game.
- 2014: 24.6 points per game..............- 2014: 15.9 points per game.
2020 featured our highest scoring points output per game of 28.7 points per game however the defensive points per game rung in a whopping 23.2 points per game. I noticed the Hawks defense really began degrading from 2017 onwards with a points per game of 20.8 and worse.
I am onboard with the spirit of the article and feel as long as our defense remains stout and the offense has continuity on the player side, we should remain competitive with the loss of the offensive coordinator.
I don't know why but I don't get the feeling anyone's going anywhere this year. I think they all stay put. I doubt Durden can recreate MM defense on his own just yet. I don't think KK has been amazing or anything, good and at times electric, but there's lots of room for improvement on offense.
This is where I'm at. I don't think it's any better than a 50/50 proposition he goes anywhere, and even less (far less) for Durde. Klint would have to be WAY more dynamic in his interviews with GM's/Owners than he is in his media sessions. He's a bit of a wet blanket interview frankly. Good guy, and decent OC. I just don't know if he's going to wow anyone in an interview. Now Durde on the other hand is very well spoken, and a bit of a philosopher, so him I could see leaving a good impression. But would he want his first h/c opportunity to be in Cleveland? Not feeling that.
I wouldn't lose any sleep about either of them. Would love to see them back, but Mike and JS have a plan, and they'd just go to it. For all we know they have some in-house options they'd pivot to.
If you could pick a head coach, and you only had two choices, and those choices were Klint Kubiak or John Harbough.......which would you choose? That's the question I'm asking myself, and I'd go with John every time I think. Klint may have more leadership qualities than I'm giving him credit for. He can scheme up an offense, no question. And coach it up. But can he build an organizational philosophy, and build the vocabulary and relationships to motivate and inspire a team to greatness? I dunno.
I'm with you, JH every time. KK might develop into a fine HC and some team might be willing to bet on that, but I'd give a few more years to really get prepared. He's a bit dry, but you don't have to have PC energy to coach well.
I'd get behind Stefanski, but he'd surely only be around 1-year as well. Too much goodwill in stock, and when we do the two-peat other teams will poach him. My preference is to keep KK, players give him pretty glowing reviews and whilst it's not the deep-shot offence we might have expected following his Saints stint it's a gameplan tailored superbly to the teams strengths.
If they both end up elsewhere, my early long shot shout is Kyle Flood. OC & OLine coach of the Longhorns since 2021, and I think he's been doing a really good job there. It's unlikely but always worth keeping your eyes on options.
And another very very long shot name to tuck deep in your head for a few years time is Ben Arbuckle, OC & QB Coach currently at Oklahoma and formerly of Washington State & Western Kentucky. He's a young coach already putting together a fun resume and could be a future McVay.
Great thought piece, and great points re: impact of coordinators leaving.
With that said, personally, I did want to see at least one more year of Kubiak. Partly to see how this offense will grow and change, and partly to see Kubiak continue to grow, as he doesn't have that much coordinator experience under his belt.
I also can't see him being a game changing head coach right now compared to the coaches fired, but I guess it shows the dearth of good coaches available
If I was coaching any candidates for Heading Coaching jobs, I'd be telling them to talk to whomever they want to, but to be very selective. Look at ownership, facilities, head coaching history, roster, organizational philosophy, level of autonomy......all of it. Above all, who is the GM and does that feel like someone you would work very well with. If anything feels off, say no if the job is offered. Having the responsibilities of a head coach without the right environment and support is not enjoyable. Why would anyone put themselves through that? I get the whole money and ambition thing, but enjoying what you are doing is numero uno for me.
Why would anyone go to Cleveland? Dallas? Carolina? Jets? I know Jerry Jones isn't looking for a new coach, but if he was, and I was a brilliant OC or DC and was offered an interview.....I'd be declining in about 2 secs.
there have been 4 designed run plays on 3rd & 15+ that have gained a 1st down this season, per
@TruMediaSports
.
the Seahawks have all 4.
per nate tice on X
https://x.com/Nate_Tice/status/2007653026723770588
YEAH BABY!
Video
https://x.com/ParkerLewes/status/2007874981469049279
It reminds me of musical chairs where each person is on a chair with the name of a team, and then the music starts playing and everyone gets up and moves around the chairs, only one chair is removed each turn. When the music stops you race for the nearest chair. One person gets eliminated each round, but coaches seem like the children on the chairs.
Side note...we seem to be a much improved blocking team this year. We block better at the line, we block better down field, our o line actually blocks down field quite well as do our skill position players. Ouzts and new tight ends (minus Arroyo) are all improvements. I can't help but think it's been a huge focus which is paying off imo.
From my-opic view from the peanut gallery it seems that Coach Benton has done a pretty good job with the talent he has. For all the whining about our O-line I've heard (and been guilty of...sorry Tony) we are, so I hear, Division winners, a #1 seed and have some respectable numbers on Offense. So, is keeping Benton and 'Benton's Bruisers' together for another season likely, or is Kubiak going to drag him off to whatever team he's in charge of next year? Inquiring Bob's want to know.
Benton leaving would cause me more worry that KK.
I began to worry as the speculation about KK moving up and moving out grew. Your short history helped talk me in off the ledge. I see that there are probably plenty of willing and capable candidates to fill in behind Kubiak if needed, however I was lost in the maze at Zimmer. Thanks for the history lesson.
To be honest, even with a bye, I’m more worried about his focus than him leaving. I can’t imagine the time prepping for these interviews is non trivial.
I just read something from Brady Henderson talking about how the Seahawks run game picked up after RB coach Polamalu took his leave of absence. No one said is was related, but my question is, is it related?
We had some chatter on a thread a few days ago about this. Could be coincidence, but I'm thinking it isn't. Obviously that's just pure speculation though on my part.
I think it had more to do with Sundell returning.
Devils advocate here, he was also the center when the run game wasn't going. His return shouldn't have made a difference that it hadn't offered before. And it very well may be the reason, but the only change that had a positive outcome was Polamalu leaving. And I am not saying he was the problem, but maybe whoever took his place saw something and tweaked something that made the difference.
And it taking more than just training camp to get schemes implemented.
The good news for Kubiak is he doesn't have to take a job. He's young, he can wait, and MM can certainly talk him through the process. I wanted to take a moment after cleaning out the chicken house, which is every bit as much fun as it sounds (ah, but the soil it makes...) to look at the QBs he'd be inheriting at each of the current job postings:
(1) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore. Understanding Jackson and Baltimore might be needing a divorce, or that Jackson won a power play with Harbaugh, in which case nobody would want the job. All that said, I don't see this as a great fit for KK's system. Not saying he's not adaptable, but Jackson has a very special, specific skillset.
(2) Jaxson Dart, NY Giants. Second year player, treats his head as a battering ram. My sense is that KK has principally worked with veteran QBs. So I dunno...maybe? Doesn't seem like a New York sorta guy, but I have prejudices well established.
(3) Cleveland Browns. I'm not going to list a QB because they don't have one. That's a problem. If he were able to take Drew Lock (stealing an idea from Michael-Shawn Duggar), I could see this one. Plus he and Stefanski came from the same coaching tree, to the point that Stefanski is mentioned as his replacement.
(4) Michael Penix Jr./Cousins, Atlanta Falcons. I don't even know. To me that looks like two ways to lose at this point, which is a pity, because I believe in Penix, if he can stay healthy.
(5) Kyler Murray or somebody else, Arizona Cardinals. Show me the concept of a plan and maybe we could talk intelligently about it. Otherwise...
(6) Cam Ward, Titans. I lived in Nashville during the McNair years, when the Titans were good. Solid pieces to build around, but how patient is ownership after all the chaos? I mean, they fired potential COTY Mike Vrabel.
(7) Geno Smith or somebody else, Las Vegas (kills me to type that, I was born in Oakland, but not raised there) Raiders. I hope he's smarter than that.
So a couple make sense, maybe, if he wants to.
My question, at the end of all that, is this: All this churn of coaches and assistant coaches, it can't be good for the game. It can't be easy on the players to have new books to learn each season, new languages to master, fresh responsibilities on the field, and all the nitty gritty differences in emphasis positional coaches presumably bring with them. Some of that's probably good, learning new things and all. But we've already got young players who've been on three different college teams, with five different coaching philosophies, and no wonder their fundamentals are a little suspect.
Also, we interviewed some guy named Grant for OC last season, guy who had been the QB whisperer at Minnesota for McCarthy, and got a promotion (but not to OC) with...the Falcons, was it? I wonder if he's still viewed as a prospect.
Sorry. Typed too much again.
“looks like two ways to lose” - haha! Although, looking at the Falcons job, gotta mention Bijan. Plus Pitts and London. Some nice pieces there, the receiving talent across multiple positions that KK loves to use.
You could win the NFL South with that team next year, too. Gotta factor in your potential competition when evaluating these job openings.
They interviewed Grant Udinski, who ended up with the Jags, and look at what he did for Trevor Lawrence! I think he would have been a good one here.
Thanks. Wonder if he might be a candidate here…this time. If it comes to that.
Would be a lateral move, so I wouldn't think so.
Yeah, I thought he was a fired Falcon.
Bill & Tom's Patriot Adventure was also predicated on consistently playing in the NFL's worst division. Good teams, yes, but bolstered by easily gained home field advantage in Foxboro.
The other tricky part of losing KK would be who else he wants to take with him. If Kubiak takes a head coaching job, does he want to retain Benton and/or Dennison? Does he try to hire Outten or Peetz as his OC? Do we care? Would we try to promote from within or bring in someone new? Would a new OC want to restaff with their own people?
I'm more concerned about the loss of continuity than the loss of Kubiak. I'd like to be good on offense in week one next season and not still figuring it out half way through.
My guess is JS has as much, if not more say in it than MM. I would wonder:
1. How much does MM want to be concerned with the staff top to bottom on that side? If not at all, then I could see him hiring a season HC/OC
2. If JS is running the whole show of coach hirings, then maybe it’s less stress on MM and they go with hiring from within and JS makes sure the one who is promoted is ready and has the right support.
I'm sure JS has the final say on any and all decisions. MM isn't Pete Carroll. I'm sure his opinions are extremely important, but JS is in charge.
Yep. JS would have to sign off, but he'd want Mike to be totally onboard with whomever it is. He wouldn't bring anyone in that Mike's not excited about.
I think I am nervous because our year with Ryan Grubb is still fresh in my mind. With that said, MM moved on from him fairly quickly and I am sure he has a vision for what he wants for that role.
I took a look at the points output from some of the championship years:
Offensive points per game................Defensive points per game
- 2025: 28.4 points per game..............- 2025: 17.2 points per game.
- 2005: 28.3 points per game..............- 2005: 16.9 points per game.
- 2013: 26.3 points per game..............- 2013: 14..4 points per game.
- 2014: 24.6 points per game..............- 2014: 15.9 points per game.
2020 featured our highest scoring points output per game of 28.7 points per game however the defensive points per game rung in a whopping 23.2 points per game. I noticed the Hawks defense really began degrading from 2017 onwards with a points per game of 20.8 and worse.
I am onboard with the spirit of the article and feel as long as our defense remains stout and the offense has continuity on the player side, we should remain competitive with the loss of the offensive coordinator.
I don't know why but I don't get the feeling anyone's going anywhere this year. I think they all stay put. I doubt Durden can recreate MM defense on his own just yet. I don't think KK has been amazing or anything, good and at times electric, but there's lots of room for improvement on offense.
This is where I'm at. I don't think it's any better than a 50/50 proposition he goes anywhere, and even less (far less) for Durde. Klint would have to be WAY more dynamic in his interviews with GM's/Owners than he is in his media sessions. He's a bit of a wet blanket interview frankly. Good guy, and decent OC. I just don't know if he's going to wow anyone in an interview. Now Durde on the other hand is very well spoken, and a bit of a philosopher, so him I could see leaving a good impression. But would he want his first h/c opportunity to be in Cleveland? Not feeling that.
I wouldn't lose any sleep about either of them. Would love to see them back, but Mike and JS have a plan, and they'd just go to it. For all we know they have some in-house options they'd pivot to.
Until I saw Baltimore job open up I didn't think KK would leave, but that might fit. I could see him taking that role if they offer it.
If you could pick a head coach, and you only had two choices, and those choices were Klint Kubiak or John Harbough.......which would you choose? That's the question I'm asking myself, and I'd go with John every time I think. Klint may have more leadership qualities than I'm giving him credit for. He can scheme up an offense, no question. And coach it up. But can he build an organizational philosophy, and build the vocabulary and relationships to motivate and inspire a team to greatness? I dunno.
I'm with you, JH every time. KK might develop into a fine HC and some team might be willing to bet on that, but I'd give a few more years to really get prepared. He's a bit dry, but you don't have to have PC energy to coach well.
I'd get behind Stefanski, but he'd surely only be around 1-year as well. Too much goodwill in stock, and when we do the two-peat other teams will poach him. My preference is to keep KK, players give him pretty glowing reviews and whilst it's not the deep-shot offence we might have expected following his Saints stint it's a gameplan tailored superbly to the teams strengths.
If they both end up elsewhere, my early long shot shout is Kyle Flood. OC & OLine coach of the Longhorns since 2021, and I think he's been doing a really good job there. It's unlikely but always worth keeping your eyes on options.
And another very very long shot name to tuck deep in your head for a few years time is Ben Arbuckle, OC & QB Coach currently at Oklahoma and formerly of Washington State & Western Kentucky. He's a young coach already putting together a fun resume and could be a future McVay.
I'd get behind anyone with a last name of Arbuckle.
Does be answer to Fatty?
4-5 of the openings have failure written all over them all over them because of bad ownership situations. For his own sake, I hope KK rules them out.
Bowles’ Movements? A little less Daboll do ya?? The Patriots’ Weis??? 😂 Priceless puns today.