Tag: Klint Kubiak

Mike Macdonald expects Geno Smith to be Seahawks starting QB in 2025

Mike Macdonald expects Geno Smith to be Seahawks starting QB in 2025

The Seattle Seahawks once again enter an offseason with questions about what to do at quarterback. Specifically, what to do with their starter, Geno Smith. Well, apparently these are questions to everyone in the world but head coach Mike Macdonald.

In a clip from an upcoming interview with Aaron Levine this weekend, Macdonald was unwavering in his support of Smith. Macdonald even went as far as to emphatically say he believes the Seahawks can win a championship with Smith at the helm.

Macdonald’s full comments on Smith can be seen in the clip below. They echo his words from the end of the season. There can be no doubt as to what he truly feels about his quarterback.

In his three seasons as the Seahawks starter, Smith has set the single season passing yard record twice and has kept Seattle competitive. Unfortunately, the Hawks were eliminated one week earlier in 2024, but they still earned 10 wins for the first time since 2020. Smith’s interceptions – especially in the red zone – were a considerable issue, but perhaps working with a more established offensive coordinator in Klint Kubiak and focusing on a more consistent ground attack can help mitigate some of those turnovers.

We are still a football lifetime away from the 2025 season kicking off. A lot can happen between now and then. But for right now, it sure looks as if Geno Smith is going to be taking the field in the neon and navy of Seattle this September.

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Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak will be compared to Grant Udinski

Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak will be compared to Grant Udinski

The Seattle Seahawks held a fairly thorough process when going through the motions of hiring a new offensive coordinator. Eventually, Mike Macdonald settled on Klint Kubiak. Kubiak was always considered a front-runner. One of those other front-runners got another job on Wednesday, when the Jacksonville Jaguars named Grant Udinski their new OC.

Both Kubiak and Udinski received two interviews apiece for the Seahawks’ opening. Kubiak, the first known candidate to emerge, was always considered the favorite. Others who received consideration included former Chicago Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown, who has since joined Mike Vrabel’s staff with the New England Patriots, who also recently plucked an assistant from Seattle’s 2024 staff.

Udinski received more league-wide interest than Kubiak did. He was a candidate for multiple openings. Seattle and Kubiak always seemed like a likely pairing, though the Cleveland Browns did show a little interest before they hired Tommy Rees.

Macdonald’s decision to hire Kubiak will be compared to Jacksonville’s one to appoint Udinski. It’s worth noting direct comparisons may be difficult though. Kubiak will call plays in Seattle. Udinski probably won’t do that for the Jaguars, who hired an offensive-minded head coach and play caller in Liam Coen.

Macdonald has to nail this OC decision after whiffing on Ryan Grubb. How Jacksonville’s offense performs next year will offer a hint whether choosing Kubiak over Udinski was the correct decision or not.

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Seahawks offensive assistant joins Patriots’ coaching staff

Seahawks offensive assistant joins Patriots’ coaching staff

New Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has already made sweeping changes to Mike Macdonald’s coaching staff. Earlier this week, John Benton was hired to coach the offensive line, and Andrew Janocko was named quarterbacks coach. Some continuity was present through retaining Frisman Jackson as wide receivers coach. Wednesday brought another coaching departure on the offensive side of the ball.

Chuckie Keeton served as an offensive assistant on Ryan Grubb’s staff last season. Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots recently announced their 2025 coaching staff. Keeton appears as an offensive assistant, finalizing his departure from the Seahawks.

Keeton played quarterback at Utah State from 2011-15. He quickly began his coaching career, joining Oregon State as a GA in 2016. The 2024 campaign was Keeton’s first season in the NFL and Seattle. It’s highly unlikely he signed a one-year contract, so it’s more likely Kubiak has made the decision to not retain him.

Macdonald has handed the keys to the offense to Kubiak. He’s making borderline sweeping changes to the coaching staff. Keeton appears to be another Kubiak-driven departure.

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Breaking down one of Klint Kubiak’s offensive concepts

Breaking down one of Klint Kubiak’s offensive concepts

New Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is busy installing his offense this season. Kubiak has already made notable changes to Mike Macdonald’s coaching staff, hiring Andrew Janocko at quarterbacks coach, and John Benton to coach the offensive line. Seattle’s offense will look drastically different in 2025 after moving on from previous OC Ryan Grubb, who recently joined Alabama.

Kubiak was the offensive play-caller for the New Orleans Saints last season. His unit dealt with various injuries, including serious ones to quarterback Derek Carr, and No. 1 wide receiver Chris Olave. Kubiak’s offense finished 25th in scoring (19.9/game), 23rd in passing (205.2), and 14th in rushing (114.9). Improving Seattle’s 28th-ranked run game will be a point of emphasis this offseason.

One of Kubiak’s best offensive concepts throughout 2024 was the Yankee Concept. A staple play broken down by Alexander Castro, Kubiak strategically places two tight ends on the EDGE. Checkdown routes are present for the running back and TE. Carr then rips this throw to Rashid Shaheed for a sizable gain.

Geno Smith possesses the arm strength required to complete explosive passing plays via this concept. It’s one example of the changes Kubiak will be making to Seattle’s offensive playbook. Expect the Yankee Concept to be featured throughout 2025.
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Latest staff moves indicate Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald is empowering Klint Kubiak

Latest staff moves indicate Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald is empowering Klint Kubiak

The Seattle Seahawks made sizable changes to their offensive coaching staff on Monday. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak appears to be at the forefront of those decisions. Andrew Janocko was officially named quarterbacks coach, and John Benton was named offensive line coach. Frisman Jackson was retained as wide receivers coach.

Both Janocko and Benton worked alongside Kubiak with the New Orleans Saints last season. Janocko replaces Charles London, who was a good quality quarterbacks coach. Benton replaces Scott Huff, which makes more sense because he was a Ryan Grubb hire. Either way, head coach Mike Macdonald is allowing Kubiak to make these decisions.

It’s a fair way for Macdonald to conduct business. He’s a defensive-minded head coach who decided to replace his first offensive coordinator after one season. It’s imperative that the Kubiak appointment goes smoother than Grubb’s tenure. Providing Kubiak with the resources and freedom required to hire an offensive coaching staff he’s comfortable with is crucial to success.

For now, Kubiak has added two coaches he’s extremely comfortable and familiar with in Janocko and Benton. Macdonald is allowing him to install his offense around a quality group of skill players, ranging from an above-average quarterback in Geno Smith, to high-level weapons like DK Metcalf, Kenneth Walker III, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. It’s on Kubiak to maximize his opportunity. Macdonald is counting on it.

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Seahawks to retain Frisman Jackson as WR coach

Seahawks to retain Frisman Jackson as WR coach

The Seattle Seahawks have made big-time coaching changes to the offensive side of the ball in recent days and hours. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak made two key staffing appointments, hiring Andrew Janocko as quarterbacks coach (replacing Charles London), and John Benton (replacing Scott Huff) as offensive line coach. Despite Kubiak making some sweeping changes, at least one key position coach will remain on staff.

The Seahawks have opted to retain Frisman Jackson was the wide receivers coach, according to various reports.

Jackson joined Mike Macdonald’s staff as wide receivers coach last offseason and appears slated to be one of few holdovers on Kubiak’s offensive staff. Jackson is a long-time coaching veteran. He first began coaching WRs at his alma mater Western Illinois in 2008, and made the jump to the NFL in 2017 with the Tennessee Titans.

Seattle’s wide receivers saw terrific success under Jackson’s coaching tutelage throughout 2024. Sophomore wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba enjoyed a monstrous breakout campaign, recording 100 receptions for 1,130 receiving yards and a team-high six touchdowns. DK Metcalf battled recurring injuries, but still fell just eight yards short of 1,000.

Retaining Jackson adds some much-needed continuity to Kubiak’s offensive coaching staff. Wide receiver play wasn’t a disappointing issue for the Seahawks in 2024. Smith-Njigba should continue developing under Jackson.

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Seahawks hire new OL coach, replace Ryan Grubb assistant

Seahawks hire new OL coach, replace Ryan Grubb assistant

New Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has apparently been granted autonomy by head coach Mike Macdonald to help fill out his offensive coaching staff. On Monday, the Seahawks hired Andrew Janocko to be their QB coach, replacing Charles London. That wasn’t the only move made.

The Seahawks are also hiring John Benton to be their offensive line coach. Scott Huff was in that role last season. Huff was handpicked by previous OC Ryan Grubb, who has since joined the Alabama coaching staff. It’s no surprise that the Seahawks decided to part ways with one of Grubb’s assistants.

Benton possesses nearly 30 years of coaching experience. Unsurprisingly, he was on staff with Kubiak in New Orleans last season. Benton’s resume is impressive and extends well beyond that.

Benton was previously Kyle Shanahan’s offensive line coach with the San Francisco 49ers. He then chose to follow Robert Saleh to the New York Jets. That wasn’t the best career move, but he resurfaced alongside Kubiak and the Saints this past season.

The Seahawks certainly need to improve their offensive line this offseason. Upgrades are arguably required at all three interior positions. Benton will be tasked with improving Seattle’s biggest weakness from the 2024 campaign.

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Seahawks officially hire Andrew Janocko as QB coach

Seahawks officially hire Andrew Janocko as QB coach

The Seattle Seahawks requested and were granted permission to interview New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko last week. Merely days later, it was announced that current Seahawks QB coach Charles London was taking the same job with the New York Jets despite being under contract in Seattle. The writing was clearly on the wall.

On Monday, the Seahawks officially named Janocko as their new quarterbacks coach.

New Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak clearly oversaw this appointment. Kubiak and Janocko have an incredibly familiar relationship. Outside of obviously serving on the 2024 Saints staff together, they previously spent three shared campaigns (2019-21) with the Minnesota Vikings.

Kubiak was clearly interested in reuniting with Janocko for a third time. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald allowed Kubiak some rope with this decision. London has officially been replaced by Janocko, who will coach Geno Smith next season.

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Klint Kubiak is bringing a couple of key assistants with him to the Seahawks

Saints QB coach Andrew Janocko was expected to join Klint Kubiak with the Seahawks, but he’s bringing OL coach John Benton with him, too:

The New Orleans Saints lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Seattle Seahawks a week ago, and it was expected quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko would also follow suit. Seattle received permission to interview Janocko in a lateral move. On Monday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Janocko is joining Kubiak in Seattle — and they’re bringing offensive line coach John Benton with them.

Janocko has always been Kubiak’s quarterback coach. They were on the Minnesota Vikings’ staff together before Kubiak brought him to New Orleans. It would make sense for those two to reunite in Seattle.

Kubiak was smart to jump to Seattle. At the time, the Saints coaching search was still up in the air. New Orleans is now in line to hire Kellen Moore. Kubiak making that move may keep himself and Janocko employed.

As for Benton? He’s an experienced and respected line coach around the league, having previously worked on the New York Jets and before that the San Francisco 49ers staff under Kyle Shanahan. He did good work preparing Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning to swap positions last offseason, but a new head coach (Moore or someone else) is going to want their own support staff.

We’ll see who else finds new jobs in the days and weeks ahead, and whether any assistants stay on board to work under a new coach.

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Seahawks receiver permission to speak with Saints QB coach

Seahawks receiver permission to speak with Saints QB coach

The Seattle Seahawks recently appointed Klint Kubiak as their new offensive coordinator. Kubiak served in that role with the New Orleans Saints last season. It appears head coach Mike Macdonald is granting him autonomy to fill out some of his coaching staff.

The Seahawks requested permission to interview current Saints quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko. The Saints have granted that permission, according to ESPN Saints reporter Katherine Terrell.

Indications are that Janocko would be making a lateral move to become the Seahawks’ quarterbacks coach. Though he remains under contract in New Orleans, the Saints are allowing position coaches to interview for lateral gigs elsewhere because they’ve yet to hire a new head coach. There’s a decent chance Janocko would be released from his contract when a coach is appointed in NOLA.

The Seahawks’ current QB coach is Charles London. This would indicate Macdonald may be willing to sever ties. It’s worth noting London possesses close ties to Mike Vrabel, who recently became the head coach of the New England Patriots. Perhaps Vrabel is interested in bringing him to Foxborough.

Kubiak and Janocko have an incredibly familiar relationship. Outside of obviously serving on the 2024 Saints staff together, they previously spent three shared campaigns (2019-21) with the Minnesota Vikings. Kubiak is clearly interested in reuniting with Janocko for a third time.

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