When Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and general manager/president of football operations John Schneider were looking for a new offensive coordinator following the departure of Klint Kubiak, who took a head coaching job with the Las Vegas Raiders, they knew they wanted to keep a lot of continuity. They liked what they had with Kubiak and wanted a coach whose offensive style, the bones of it, was similar to what Kubiak had helped build. That offense ultimately saw Seattle ranked at the top half of the league in points scored (28.4 average, third in the NFL), passing offense (228.1 yards per game, eighth in the NFL) and rushing offense (123.3 yards per game, tied for 10th).
That's where offensive coordinator Brian Fleury enters the picture. Fleury spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and learned under the same coaching tree as Kubiak in the West Coast style of offense learned from 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan.
During Fleury's opening press conference, he said that his style of offense will look similar to the one that was in place in Seattle last season. The continuity undoubtedly is a positive for Seattle, as they had very little turnover on the offensive side of the ball, retaining almost all its starters. For players and Fleury, the offseason program, training camp and the preseason have been an acclimatization period, learning more about Fleury and the kind of offense he wants to run.
"I'm excited about the offense," tight end AJ Barner said. "I think Coach (Brian) Fleury does a great job of being all about ball. He runs his meetings the right way. He expects great things out of his players. He comes to work each day with the same kind of attitude that's just straight business. I think as a player, you can really respect a guy that has those values, so it's a great fit here."
The players and the coaching staff have said that Fleury has fit in and meshed well so far.
"He's done an unbelievable job and it's cool to see, ask the coaches," receiver Cooper Kupp said. "It's not an easy thing, it's not missed. We have an offensive coordinator come over, he didn't bring anyone with him. He had to install his vision to coaches so they can go out and install it to the players. That's a tough thing to do but it's been cool to have that collaboration piece where you see the coaches, you see the players, you see Brian (Fleury) all working together to make sure we get the best plays out there, putting guys in the best situations possible. He's done a great job."
Offensive lineman Grey Zabel said Fleury "Just seems like the man.com. He's a good dude, an unbelievable coach. I love his run-first mentality, and we are going to enjoy it. He's doing an unbelievable job so far. I know he demands excellence, and I love that out of a coach. He's going to hold us to a standard and not waver."
Fleury has fit in but he has also made sure the bring his own style to what he wants the identity of the offense to be. He's collaborated with the coaches and players in the building taking in advice from those around him. Kupp said Fleury has a "Great foundation with new ideas, as well."
"We're always evolving but we have our things that are non-negotiables," quarterback Sam Darnold said. "How we play and the standard that is our offensive line, tight ends, running backs, receivers. We all have a standard of how we want to play and we need to uphold that no matter what our scheme is. Brian's made himself very clear about that and that rings true with what a lot of our philosophies are as players."
Kupp added, "I think it can be easy for coaches to kind of get comfortable with things being run a certain way. Brian (Fleury) knows, he has a great vision, he's seen a lot of good football, so he has an expectation for us. When you don't hit that expectation, 'This isn't how we are going to do it. This is how we are going to do it though.' There is coaching there involved with that. That's what we want to be. We want to be always moving forward. One percent better every day."
And going up against Macdonald's defense every day is one way Fleury and the offense improves and are able to achieve the goal of being "one percent better every day."
Throughout Fleury's NFL career, his journey has taken him through 13 seasons of coaching and?research roles, and on Wednesday, he will call his first regular season NFL game.
"Brian (Fleury) is obviously a first-time play caller," Kupp said. "But he's called a few times this preseason. We get out there and we're all working towards the same thing, so it's going to be part of that collaboration, working together, bringing these things alive. We haven't played maybe together in a real game this year, that you guys have seen, but we've played a lot of football together, this year still, so guys are excited about going out there and let it rip."
Kupp added, "He has an understanding of what's happening out on the field. Being able to see it, feel it and a huge part of being a good play caller, I've never been one but just my standpoint, is guys that can visualize what they want to get done. Your head isn't down on the call sheet. Your head is up seeing what's happening. You're calling it based off of, 'I know I want to get our offense into this because of what I'm seeing.' He does that on a regular basis. His understanding of the offense, how to set things up. Get guys in places where they can execute and be able to attack vulnerabilities that he's seeing defensively. That's early on, seeing how he can do that as visualization on that side of things. Call stuff off the top of his head. That's difficult to do and it shows you his understanding of what he's trying to get done."
Tight end Eric Saubert said since Fleury was hired he has been impressed by what he's been able to do.
"Since Day 1, he has really exhibited his knowledge of the offense," Saubert said. "When he presents, he covers everyone's job with great thoroughness. It's pretty impressive. He has challenged us a lot with what we can take during training camp, putting us in different spots, getting different guys to do different things. The more we're learning about each other—he's learning about how certain players do certain things and how he likes to call things—we're kind of creating this comfortability, and it's been good. He has challenged us a lot, and I think we've responded really well."
And the real first test for Fleury and the offense will be on Wednesday when Fleury is calling the game from the sidelines.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I've had more fun out here at practice these last two days than any of the last seven years, so I'm excited to continue this journey and get out there for the first time on Wednesday."
The Seahawks held another practice on September 6 as they get ready to kick off the 2026 regular season vs. the Patriots.
Seahawks safety Rodney Thomas II (24) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Aidan Hubbard (93) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6), quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Julian Neal (1) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Julian Neal (1) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (34) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Julian Hicks (82) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (23) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (23) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
ISeahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Beau Stephens (70) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77) practiced on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on September 6, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
