Tag: Seahawks

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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Hiring Chip Kelly as OC means former Seahawks HC Pete Carroll has changed

Hiring Chip Kelly as OC means former Seahawks HC Pete Carroll has changed

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll made a bold staffing move over the weekend by hiring Chip Kelly to be his offensive coordinator. Kelly is going to earn $6 million per season, becoming the highest-paid coordinator in NFL history, per widespread media reports. Carroll, the former Seattle Seahawks head coach, just showed a willingness to adjust his mindset.

Before hiring Kelly, Carroll was linked to hiring his former Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell as his coordinator and play-caller. Many Seahawks fans expected that move to transpire. Instead, Carroll shocked the footballing world by luring Kelly, Ohio State’s National Championship winning OC and QB coach, back to the NFL.

Throughout his successful, long-lasting tenure with the Seahawks, Carroll was often accused of playing old-school football. He was a defensive-minded coach (he’s a former DC and DB coach) who was accused of neglecting the offensive side of the ball. And certainly, Carroll sometimes settled for the status quo, showing loyalty to coaches like Bevell, even when it was clear their time had run its course.

Appointing Kelly, one of the more creative offensive minds in football, over Bevell, proves Carroll is willing to approach things differently in his tenure with the Raiders. The 73-year-old Carroll is willing to evolve. That makes following his upcoming stint with the Raiders particularly exciting for Seahawks fans.

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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 HC Mike Macdonald may add former Ravens assistant to staff

Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald may add former Ravens assistant to staff

Before becoming the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, Mike Macdonald spent two campaigns (2022-23) as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator. That’s where he developed into an eventual head coach. When Macdonald arrived in Seattle, he possessed interest in bringing assistant coaches from Baltimore with him.

Macdonald has surely kept a watchful eye on staff happenings in Baltimore. Well, one highly intriguing assistant from John Harbaugh’s staff just became available. The Ravens and assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt agreed to mutually part ways earlier this week, according to Tom Pelissero.

Hewitt had been on Harbaugh’s staff since 2012. That means Macdonald spent two separate stints alongside him in Baltimore. In total, Macdonald coached alongside Hewitt for nine total seasons (2014-2020, 2022-23) under Harbaugh.

Macdonald’s ability to add Hewitt to his staff in Seattle may depend on the title he’s willing to offer, and the interest Hewitt receives elsewhere. The veteran coach has interviewed for defensive coordinator openings in previous cycles. The Seahawks do not have an opening at DC, with Aden Durde expected to return in that role.

Macdonald would have to get creative, offering Hewitt some sort of assistant head coach role (Leslie Frazier currently holds that title), or a run-game/pass-game coordinator type of gig. What’s certain is Hewitt is an outstanding veteran coach with familiarity to Macdonald. The Seahawks should make a valiant effort to hire him.

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Seahawks draft versatile player in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Seahawks draft versatile player in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Death, taxes, and the Seattle Seahawks drafting offensive linemen in 2025 NFL mock-draft exercises. In fairness, there’s no need to ignore the obvious. General manager John Schneider desperately needs to upgrade the protection after it largely derailed the offense in 2024. The best way to achieve that is via the 2025 draft.

In the latest mock-draft iteration, NFL.Com’s Bucky Brooks has the Seahawks selecting Texas Longhorns offensive linemen Kelvin Banks Jr.

“The Seahawks’ pressing needs on the offensive line could result in an early addition to the position group,” Brooks wrote. “While Banks was a three-year starter for Texas at left tackle, some evaluators believe his best NFL spot could be at guard. Whatever the case, Seattle needs help in both areas.”

Banks Jr. played left tackle for the Longhorns this past season, but NFL evaluators view him as a potential guard, as Brooks explained. The Seahawks have a franchise left tackle in Charles Cross, so the expectation here is that Banks Jr. would kick inside. Mike Macdonald’s offense arguably possesses two massive needs at both guard positions.

If the Seahawks view Banks Jr. as a tackle, he could technically compete with the oft-injured Abe Lucas at right tackle. On tape, Banks Jr. possesses high-level physical tools. He’d help improve the Seahawks’ offensive line in 2025.

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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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Ernest Jones IV named Seahawks’ player team “can’t afford to lose” this offseason

Ernest Jones IV named Seahawks’ player team “can’t afford to lose” this offseason

Displeased with their off-ball linebackers, the Seattle Seahawks acquired Ernest Jones IV in a trade with the Tennessee Titans in October. Jones was a complete game-changer for Mike Macdonald’s struggling run defense, elevating that unit to new heights. A standout talent on a weekly basis, Jones accumulated 94 tackles in 10 appearances while undeniably upgrading the position.

Jones performed on an expiring contract, hence why he was available at the trade deadline. Re-signing him should be a big-time offseason priority for general manager John Schneider. He’s a Macdonald linebacker through and through.

Unsurprisingly, Pro Football Focus recently named Jones the one free agent the Seahawks can’t afford to lose this offseason.

“The Seahawks traded for Jones mid-season to improve their run defense,” Dalton Wasserman recently wrote. “After arriving from Tennessee in Week 8, Jones earned a solid 72.9 PFF run-defense grade, providing stability alongside rookie Tyrice Knight. Still just 25 years old, Jones could continue to build a solid rapport with Knight as the Seahawks develop their young defense.”

Schneider should make a valiant effort to re-sign Jones this offseason. Linebackers are the beating heart of Macdonald’s defense, further proven by his stint as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator. Jones should return to Seattle in 2025 via a multi-year extension.

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