Seahawks Hire 49ers Offensive Coordinator Fleury in Major Divisio

The Seattle Seahawks hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Brian Fleury in a major division move that raids a key assistant from their NFC West rival. Fleury, who served as the 49ers' tight ends coach and run game coordinator, replaces Klint Kubiak, who departed to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Hire

Seattle officially announced Fleury's hiring on February 16, 2026, after NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo first reported the move. The decision surprised many observers who expected the Seahawks to promote from within or hire a more high-profile candidate. Instead, head coach Mike Macdonald went with a little-known name from a division rival.

Fleury was formally introduced at a press conference on Thursday, February 20, where he outlined his vision for the Seahawks' offense. "I'm excited to bring what I learned in San Francisco to Seattle," Fleury said. "We're going to establish the run, be physical, and create opportunities for our playmakers."

Fleury's Background

Brian Fleury spent several years with the 49ers, rising from a quality control coach to tight ends coach and run game coordinator. He was instrumental in developing San Francisco's dominant rushing attack and helped coach tight ends to Pro Bowl-level performances. His work with the 49ers' offensive line and running backs earned him respect around the league, even if his name wasn't widely known outside coaching circles.

The 49ers' offense consistently ranked among the NFL's best in rushing yards and efficiency during Fleury's tenure. His schemes emphasized physicality, misdirection, and creating favorable matchups—principles he plans to bring to Seattle. The Seahawks hope Fleury can replicate San Francisco's offensive success while adapting to Seattle's personnel.

Why Fleury?

Seahawks GM John Schneider addressed the hiring process at a press conference, explaining why the team landed on Fleury. "We interviewed several candidates, both internal and external," Schneider said. "Brian's vision for our offense, his track record of developing players, and his understanding of what it takes to win in this division made him the right choice."

Head coach Mike Macdonald emphasized Fleury's ability to establish the run game, which aligns with Seattle's offensive philosophy. The Seahawks want to control the clock, protect their defense, and create play-action opportunities. Fleury's experience coordinating San Francisco's run game made him an ideal fit for this approach.

Division Rivalry

Hiring a coach from a division rival adds an extra layer of intrigue. Fleury has intimate knowledge of the 49ers' defensive schemes and tendencies, which could provide Seattle with a competitive advantage in their two annual matchups. The 49ers, meanwhile, must adjust to losing a key assistant who understands their offensive system inside and out.

Division rival raids are relatively common in the NFL, but they always generate attention. The Seahawks and 49ers have been fierce competitors for years, with playoff implications often on the line when they meet. Fleury's move from San Francisco to Seattle adds another chapter to this rivalry.

Coaching Staff Changes

The Seahawks lost three key coaches to the Raiders when Kubiak was hired as head coach: Kubiak himself (offensive coordinator), Andrew Janocko (quarterbacks coach), and Rick Dennison (run game coordinator/senior offensive advisor). Fleury's hiring is part of a broader staff rebuild as Seattle looks to maintain offensive continuity while implementing new ideas.

The Seahawks have added four new offensive coaches in total, with Fleury as the centerpiece. The goal is to blend Seattle's existing offensive identity with fresh concepts from successful programs like San Francisco. If successful, the Seahawks could field one of the NFC's most improved offenses in 2026.

Expectations

Fleury inherits an offense with talent but inconsistency. The Seahawks have playmakers at skill positions but struggled with offensive line play and red zone efficiency in recent seasons. Fleury's expertise in run game coordination and tight end development should address some of these issues, but success will depend on player execution and scheme fit.

For the 49ers, losing Fleury is a blow to their coaching staff depth. They'll need to promote or hire a replacement who can maintain their offensive standards. For the Seahawks, Fleury represents a calculated gamble—a rising coach with a proven track record in a successful system, now tasked with elevating a division rival's offense.