The Seattle Seahawks found something last season that had been missing for a while: a clear offensive identity.
Under Klint Kubiak, Seattle’s offense became more structured, more connected, and far more difficult for defenses to prepare for. It was not just about calling good plays. It was about building an offense where the run game, motion, formations, and passing concepts all worked together. For the first time in a long time, the Seahawks looked like an offense with a plan.
That was the focus of
the latest episode of Hawks Eye, where I was joined by Bobby Peters of Alert the Post to break down what Kubiak did so well in Seattle and what Brian Fleury taking over as offensive coordinator could mean moving forward.
One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation was how much Kubiak helped Sam Darnold settle into the offense. The structure of the system gave Darnold cleaner reads, better answers, and more chances to play in rhythm. Instead of constantly asking the quarterback to create outside the framework of the offense, Seattle gave him answers built into the design.
That matters. Good offensive structure does not remove responsibility from the quarterback, but it does give him a clearer picture. Kubiak’s use of under-center looks, movement concepts, and layered route combinations helped Darnold play with confidence and timing.
The same can be said for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kubiak’s offense helped turn JSN into a true focal point by using alignment, motion, spacing, and route design to create favorable looks. He was not simply getting targets. He was being featured with purpose. The Seahawks found ways to get him cleaner releases, put him in space, and make defenses account for him on critical downs.
Breaking down Sam Darnold’s touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Texans
“Kubak did an excellent job in the red zone in general,” Peters said. “But with these double post designs and isolating JSN as that outside post runner with his route running ability, it is second to none. So, this is once again another example where we’re free releasing the back and using the tight end as that kind of that check release sixth protector. Um that inside through route there—I believe that’s the F receiver occupying the near safety and JSN from that tight split.
“He’s going to try to sell that outside stem on that corner, get, you know, get him to widen and then cross his face. And Sam Darnold, with five [steps] and a hitch, quick timing from under center is able to let that ball rip.”
Bobby and I also discussed how the run game gave the offense a more defined foundation. Even when the run game was not perfect, the threat of it still mattered. Seattle used under-center looks, outside-zone action, motion, and formation stress to influence second-level defenders and create cleaner opportunities in the passing game.
Now the attention turns to Fleury.
The Seahawks do not need him to tear down what worked. In many ways, his job is to maintain the foundation Kubiak built while finding enough new wrinkles to stay ahead of defensive adjustments. That is easier said than done. Defenses now have a full season of tape, and successful offenses have to evolve.
That is what makes Fleury’s first season as offensive coordinator so interesting. Continuity is important, but standing still can be dangerous. Seattle needs the same identity, but it also needs counters, answers, and growth.
So the central question remains: Can Brian Fleury keep it rolling?
“There’s so much volume in the Kyle Shanahan system, especially at this point, right?” Peters said. “He’s been calling he’s been calling his own offense for awhile, specially in San Francisco with all those experienced players like Kittle, Juszczyk, CMC. I mean, you’re creating brand new game plans every week with, you know, new tags and stuff. So like he could pull from so many different places just within that tree of different concepts to feature and you know obviously he’s going to try to fit it to his personnel. I guess we’ll wait and see [about Brian Fleury].”
Bobby Peters on what we could see more of under Brian Fleury
“I know Purdy likes that under center drop back and obviously Darnold, you know, we just got done showing an example of him liking it. So even maybe more of an emphasis on that, too. I could see that being an uptick. Maybe they do go down more of the wide zone outside zone route, too. That’s remain to be seen.
“It’s all [about] trying to stay ahead of defensive trends, too. Defenses have got a year of Darnold with Seattle’s personnel on tape. How are defenses going to respond now? Flurry’s going to have to respond to that.”
The full episode gets into the details of what made Kubiak’s offense work, why Fleury’s background with San Francisco makes him an intriguing fit, and which parts of Seattle’s offensive identity have to carry over if the Seahawks want to keep building on last season’s success.
Check out the full conversation on Hawks Eye Podcast.
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