New OC Klint Kubiak newest on Seahawks to again QB Geno Smith

RENTON, Wash. — Whereas a phase of Seattle Seahawks followers needs the crew to interchange polarizing quarterback Geno Smith, new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak took the job partially due to the chance to teach him.

Kubiak mentioned as a lot Tuesday throughout his introductory information convention at crew headquarters, which marked the newest sign from the group that it plans to stay with Smith as its starter in 2025.

One other one got here final week from coach Mike Macdonald, who gave the quarterback his clearest endorsement but. As Macdonald and Kubiak spoke to reporters for practically half-hour Tuesday, absent have been any feedback suggesting the potential of a change on the place.

In truth, Kubiak — who was additionally within the combine for the Cleveland Browns‘ O-coordinator opening earlier than they promoted Tommy Rees — volunteered that the quarterback was a “big draw” in taking the Seahawks job.

“Geno’s a really aggressive participant,” Kubiak mentioned. “Has a whole lot of manufacturing. Clearly, he is been doing it for a very long time. He is overcome rather a lot in his profession. I’ve a whole lot of respect for Geno. It was an enormous draw to return right here and be capable of get to teach him alongside [quarterbacks coach] Andrew Janocko. We now have excessive expectations for him. We will push Geno and get the most effective out of him, and we’ll do this by pushing his teammates, as effectively. It is not simply his present. It is a crew factor, and he is bought to be the pinnacle of that.”

Smith’s future in Seattle has been an ongoing query after his up-and-down play in every of the previous two years in addition to noncommittal feedback from the group early final offseason. With Smith getting into the final yr of his deal and scheduled to rely $44.5 million in opposition to the cap subsequent season, the 2 sides are anticipated to attempt to negotiate an extension. That cap cost features a $16 million roster bonus due March 16.

Smith, 34, threw 21 landing passes final season but in addition 15 interceptions, with a league-high 4 picks coming within the pink zone. With the vast majority of the offense on his shoulders as Seattle did not mount a constant run recreation, he broke his personal franchise data for passing yards with 4,320 and completion fee at 70.4%. Smith additionally led 4 game-winning drives within the fourth quarter or additional time, giving him 9 over the previous two seasons to tie Patrick Mahomes for many within the league in that span, in response to ESPN Analysis.

“I feel Geno’s robust as nails,” Kubiak mentioned. “I feel you take a look at the man within the fourth quarter and he goes and wins soccer video games. That excites me. That fires me up. I’ve watched his profession, learning him now greater than I ever have earlier than, however you consider a man that is been by way of a whole lot of adversity, a man that is been knocked off the excessive horse and needed to claw his means again into the starter’s position. After which he comes again the final two years and wins extra video games within the fourth quarter than anyone within the NFL. That is a man that I need to coach.”

A meticulous decision-maker, Macdonald took his time in changing Ryan Grubb, whom he fired after one season over philosophical variations. He interviewed no less than seven candidates for the O-coordinator job throughout a three-week search, leaning on assistant head coach Leslie Frazier all through the method whereas additionally involving a few of his different non-offensive coaches for his or her perspective, together with defensive coordinator Aden Durde and particular groups coordinator Jay Harbaugh. In that sense, Macdonald referred to as it a crew effort to rent Kubiak, 37.

The son of former NFL quarterback and Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach Gary Kubiak, Klint Kubiak went one-and-done in his two earlier offensive coordinator stints with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and the New Orleans Saints final season after every crew fired its head coach. In between, he had a six-game stint because the Denver Broncos‘ playcaller in 2022 and served because the San Francisco 49ers‘ passing recreation coordinator in ’23. Kubiak coached quarterbacks in Minnesota earlier than his promotion to offensive coordinator and in addition in Denver.

Kubiak mentioned Seattle’s offensive identification might be operating the ball — one thing Grubb did not do as usually or in addition to Macdonald wished — however that they’ve to have the ability to win in a couple of means.

“As the method began to unfold, it grew to become actually clear that Klint was the best choice for us,” Macdonald mentioned. “Actually enthusiastic about it. … It is Klint because the individual, as a person of actually excessive integrity, excessive character, ardour for the sport, ardour for his gamers, humility. I simply actually respect Klint as an individual. Excited for him to work with our gamers.

“And as a coach, simply the scheme experience. This man has been across the recreation for a very long time, effectively documented together with his household, and I’ve a lot respect for his brothers and for his father, Gary; I labored with him in 2014. However the ardour for the sport, the scheme experience, the monitor report with the quarterback. Guys have performed at a extremely excessive stage each cease that he is been. The evolution of the scheme, too, and with the ability to match it to your personnel. Klint has a extremely nice imaginative and prescient for the place he needs our offense to go. He was very clear with that with the personnel now we have on our roster. We’ll discuss it as we go right here, however I undoubtedly consider that aligns with how we need to rock.”

Macdonald was requested how Kubiak’s offense will help Smith, who completed twenty first in Whole QBR final season at 53.8, his lowest in three seasons as Seattle’s full-time starter.

“I feel there’s a whole lot of readability in what we’re attempting to do, there’s a whole lot of element,” Macdonald mentioned. “They’ve form of lived by way of all of the issues that may occur to the quarterback, so it is very clear when it comes to progressions. And I feel there’s an accountability issue for the entire soccer crew. We have all bought to play on the identical accord. We now have to be in the proper spot after we should be there. The ball must be out on time. The safety all works hand in hand. So it should take all people, but it surely’s a really clear imaginative and prescient and element on how we have to get there.”

Earlier than Kubiak’s information convention, the Seahawks introduced the hires of Janocko as QB coach, John Benton as offensive line coach and Michael Byrne as an offensive assistant. All are following Kubiak to Seattle from New Orleans. Macdonald mentioned a pair extra teaching additions are within the works, and that everybody who’s presently on employees will return.

Macdonald mentioned the crew continues to be working by way of whether or not Tyler Lockett will stay with Seattle in 2025. The second-most-prolific receiver in franchise historical past plans to proceed enjoying into his eleventh NFL season, however he is a probable cap casualty except the 2 sides can comply with a lowered contract for the second straight yr.