Tag: Mike MacDonald

Seahawks like to approach Geno Smith’s contract this offseason

Seahawks like to approach Geno Smith’s contract this offseason

The Seattle Seahawks need to figure out what they are going to do with quarterback Geno Smith, who is entering the final year of his current contract. Head coach Mike Macdonald has been repeatedly on the record – including recently – that he wants Geno Smith back in Seattle for the 2025 season. As it stands, it appears the team will be making this a priority this offseason.

NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero are reporting the Seahawks will likely address Smith’s contract this offseason. As it stands, Smith will be headed into the final year of his current contract.

Rapoport and Pelissero wrote:

The Seahawks have said nothing to dissuade the impression they’re all-in on Geno Smith, who is entering a contract year at age 34 and is set to have his third offensive coordinator in three seasons. Seattle likely will address his deal, which is set to pay him $25 million in 2025, putting him at the lower end of the veteran starter pay scale.

I understand fully the frustrations some fans have with Smith, specifically his interceptions… notably in the red zone. However, Smith is still a clear-cut starting caliber quarterback in the NFL. If you believe the Seahawks can do better than him for 2025, I would merely ask this:

Who is out there that is both better than Geno Smith, and available to obtain?

It seems Seattle has asked both of these questions, and the answers they are finding keep leading them back to Smith.

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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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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 sign former Ravens OL Sala Aumavae-Laulu to a Reserve/Future deal

Seahawks sign former Ravens OL Sala Aumavae-Laulu to a reserve/future deal

Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu has a new team as the former Ravens draft pick, and the Oregon Ducks star is signing a Reserve/Futures deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

Aumavae-Laulu was released in October to make room for Yannick Ngakoue on the roster ahead of Baltimore’s win over Tampa Bay.

Aumavae-Laulu was active for two games last season, playing no offensive snaps. The 2023 sixth-round pick out of Oregon was inactive for every game as a rookie.

A three-year starter at Oregon, Aumavae-Laulu earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors as a senior, starting all 13 games at right tackle while playing a team-high 902 offensive snaps, including 24 at right guard. Aumavae-Laulu started 29 games in his Oregon career, including 22 straight, seeing most of his playing time at right tackle with 184 snaps at right guard.

Mike Macdonald seen hanging with these mega-stars in Seattle

Mike Macdonald seen hanging with these mega-stars in Seattle

The stars were out and about in the Emerald City this past weekend. Visiting Seattle was one of the biggest comedians in the country right now, Shane Gillis. Joining him was Seattle’s own Adam Ray as the opening act. When a comedian of Gillis’ status comes to town, it tends to draw quite the crowd, including the city’s biggest names.

Among those in attendance to see Gillis and Ray was none other than Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and his wife! Macdonald even got to meet the comedians… as well as another beloved Seattle star: the Mariners’ own Cal Raleigh.

Sometimes at Seahawks Wire, we love to cover the little things that are fun. This certainly qualifies.

While I am sure Coach Macdonald would rather be preparing to play this Sunday for a Lombardi, a night of laughs with Shane Gillis and Adam Ray is hardly a poor alternative.

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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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Mike Macdonald has been the Seahawks HC for officially one year

Mike Macdonald has been the Seahawks HC for officially one year

Today officially marks one full year since Mike Macdonald officially became the ninth head coach of the Seattle Seahawks franchise. It is wild to think it’s already been a full calendar year, and exciting to think what the future may hold.

Winding the clock back one year, the Seahawks were doing something they had not done in 14 seasons: seeking a new head coach. Seattle had parted ways with Pete Carroll, and were looking for a fresh voice to lead the team. Fortunately, they landed arguably the top coaching candidate that year with Macdonald, who was in high demand following his successful run as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

A lot has happened in just a year for Macdonald. He won his first 10 games of his coaching career, he helped vastly improve Seattle’s struggling defense, he finally beat the 49ers, and he became a father.

Going into year two of his regime, Macdonald will face considerable new challenges. He has uncertainty at quarterback, he will need to break in a new offensive coordinator, and must find a way back to the playoffs. Not to mention winning the NFC West, which slipped out of Seattle’s grasp not once but twice last year.

Still, it is hard to argue the Seahawks are on anything but the right path with Macdonald at the helm. There is still a lot of promise with this squad, especially on defense and with the skill position players they have. This is not a team priming for a rebuild, but one that must find a way to take the next step forward. It won’t be easy, but I have a feeling Macdonald is up to the task.

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