The Seahawks host the 49ers at Lumen Field on Sunday for their season-opening matchup. Over the years, these divisional opponents have met for 52 games, and Seattle leads the series 30-22. Here are connections between the two opponents.
Player And Coaching Connections
Klint Kubiak and Kyle Shanahan
The history of Klint Kubiak and Kyle Shanahan dates back 1994 when both of their fathers, Gary Kubiak and Mike Shanahan were NFL coaches. During that '94 season, Mike was the offensive coordinator, and Gary was the quarterbacks coach for the 49ers. After their run with San Francisco, they took their program to the Denver Broncos where Gary became the offensive coordinator and Mike was the head coach. Gary would later become a head coach for the Houston Texans in 2006. While he was the head coach in Houston, Kyle worked as the offensive coordinator in 2008 and 2009.
Fast forward to 2023, Klint and Kyle's paths crossed when Klint took on the role of the 49ers' offensive passing game coordinator. That season, Klint helped Brock Purdy put up NFL-leading stats in passer rating, yards per attempt and yards per completion.
Sam Darnold
Also with the 49ers in 2023 was Seahawks starting quarterback Sam Darnold. Serving as the backup to Purdy and learning under Kubiak, Darnold credits that season for where a lot of his growth came from.
"Learned a ton obviously going to San Francisco, and Klint (Kubiak) was a huge part of that," he said at his first press conference as a Seahawk in March. "Just kind of understanding, okay, like -- and I really thank Brock a ton, Brock Purdy, for just his style of play and how he described his style as like, we've got a ton of great play-makers on offense. Like my job is just to play point guard and get the ball in their hands and let them go do great things with the rock. When I changed my thought process as a quarterback to kind of just getting the ball in my guys' hands, that's really kind of where it unlocked for me a little bit."
Eric Saubert
Before signing with Seattle in March, Eric Saubert spent a season in San Francisco and played in all 17 games, starting 11 of them. He had 11 receptions, 97 yards and a touchdown and spent majority of his time on special teams, taking 67 percent of the snaps there.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Signed to the Seahawks in March and then released following the preseason, Marquez Valdes-Scantling was picked up by San Francisco, signed to the practice squad and then just this week was signed to the 53-man roster.
Players going and playing for divisional rivals happens often, but head coach Mike Macdonald says that doesn't change anything for them offensively.
"He's a smart player, he's probably going to give them information," he said. "That stuff happens all the time. Some things you can take into account, some things you just got to call it and haul it."
Robert Saleh, 49ers defensive coordinator
Before becoming the 49ers defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh served as Pete Carroll's defensive assistant where he was a defensive quality control coach. Saleh was with Seattle for three seasons from 2011-2013 and helped oversee the linebackers, including K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner and Malcolm Smith.
Klay Kubiak, 49ers offensive coordinator
If the name sounds familiar, it's because it is. Klay is the brother of Klint, the Seahawks' offensive coordinator. Klay and Klint coached together at the 49ers where Klay was the assistant quarterbacks coach and Klint the passing game coordinator.
Gus Bradley, 49ers assistant head coach of defense
Another 49ers coach to have coached under Seahawks former coach Carroll was Gus Bradley who in 2009-2012 was the defensive coordinator.
Players Turned Coaches
Greg Scruggs, 49ers assistant defensive line coach
Greg Scruggs played two seasons for the Seahawks (2012, 2014).
K.J. Wright, 49ers defensive quality control coach
K.J. Wright played 10 seasons for the Seahawks, and this season has been named a Top 50 Player in Seahawks history.
Players To Play For Both Teams
Here's a short list of players that you might recognize that have played a regular season game for both the Seahawks and 49ers:
- Ricky Watters
- Richard Sherman
- Jerry Rice
- Julian Peterson
- Jacob Green
- Michael Robinson
- Malcolm Smith
- Brock Coyle
- Cassius Marsh
- D.J. Reed
Quick Facts
- The Seahawks have shutout the 49ers twice, 34-0 in 2004 and 24-0 in 2007.
- Last season, Seattle snapped a 49ers five-game regular season winning streak, beating San Francisco, 20-17 at Levi's Stadium.
- Seattle leads the all-time regular season series, 30-22.
The Seahawks and 49ers face off at Lumen Field for Week 1 on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the 49ers.
Seattle Seahawks fullback Dan Doornink (33) runs upfield during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Oct. 7, 1979. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 35-24. (AP Photo/Al Messerschmidt)
San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana (16) passes during an NFL football game against Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 25, 1985, in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 19-6. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Francisco 49ers' Terrell Owens catches the game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Jeff Garcia while Seattle Seahawks' Shawn Springs defends during the fourth quarter in Seattle, Monday, Oct. 14. 29, 2002. The 49ers won, 28-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Marcus Robertson (31) gets ready to make sure San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst (20) is stopped on Sunday, December 1, 2002, in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 31-24. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks' Antonio Cochran (78) celebrates a fumble recovery by teammate safety Ken Hamlin on the first play after the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 20-19. At left is 49ers' Ron Stone. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers running back Kevan Barlow (32) looks for hole in line on Saturday, December 27, 2003, in San Francisco, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 24-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looks for room to pass under pressure from San Francisco 49ers' John Engelberger (95) and Derrick Hamilton (88) in the first quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Darrell Jackson, right, runs in for a touchdown past San Francissco 49ers' Ronnie Heard on a 33-yard pass reception in the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)
Seattle Seahawks' D.J. Hackett (18) grabs a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers' Shawntae Spencer in the first half on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith attempts to pass under pressure from Seattle Seahawks' Craig Terrill, right, and Rodney Bailey (95) in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, at Qwest Field in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 41-3. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws downfield while under pressure from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Julian Peterson, left, in the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.J. Hackett (18) cannot hold on to a pass in the second quarter as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Mark Roman defends in the second quarter Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore, center, fumbles in front of Seattle Seahawks' Darryl Tapp in the first quarter of their NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 12: Tight end Marcus Pollard #88 of the Seattle Seahawks spins after the reception against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 12, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won the game 24-0. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) Marcus Pollard
Seattle Seahawks' Josh Wilson defends as San Francisco 49ers' Isaac Bruce makes a 33-yard reception in overtime in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in Seattle. The 49ers won 33-30. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones, left, carries the ball in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry (59), top, tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Glen Coffee (29) during an NFL football game in San Francisco, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck in action against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Justin Forsett in action against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ruvell Martin (82) catches a pass in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements (22) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (15) against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) drives for the end zone during an NFL game against Seattle Seahawks defensive back Kam Chancellor (31) on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in Seattle. The 49ers won the game, 19-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) tries to make a tackle while blocked by Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) during the NFL week 7 football game on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game 13-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman comes down with an interception ahead of San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver Randy Moss in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 42-13. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes against the defense of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell, left, intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) catches a 35-yard touchdown pass at 13:44 of the fourth quarter of the NFL NFC Championship playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, January 19, 2014 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game 23-17. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson (10) heads downfield during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Nov. 27, 2014, in Santa Clara, Ca. The Seahawks won the game, 19-3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Wagner, left, closes in on San Francisco 49ers' Carlos Hyde, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) drops the ball after scoring a touchdown ahead of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches the ball against San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers, 37-18. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Jeremy Lane (20) tackles San Francisco 49ers' Raheem Mostert (31) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
In this third in a series of seven photos, Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson leaps over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Will Redmond, left, as defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sept. 17, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
