Mike Macdonald
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Mike Macdonald made a shock "overrated" statement about new Seatte Sehaawks offensive coordiator Brian Fleury.
He’s got his new offensive coordinator, but Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald made a shock statement about Klint Kubiak’s replacement, Brian Fleury.
The latter is making a big step up from being tight ends coach and run-game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, to calling plays. Fleury’s never done that before, but Macdonald isn’t worried.
Asked about turning over the reins of a Super Bowl-winning offense to somebody without play-calling experience, Macdonald told reporters, “I do think it’s a bit overrated. All play-callers have to be first-time play-callers at some point,” per Seahawks.com.
Macdonald was speaking at Fleury’s introductory press conference on Thursday, February 19, when the new OC spelled out his vision for this year’s offense in a few choice words.
While he cut straight to the point, Fleury still has a lot to prove as a worthy replacement for new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Kubiak. The latter helped journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold lift the Lombardi Trophy, while Kubiak’s schemes also elevated the game of versatile wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and turned gifted running back Kenneth Walker III into Super Bowl LX MVP.
It’s a tall order to follow, but fortunately, Fleury has the right credentials to at least continue the staples of what made last season’s offense successful. He can lean on some familiar principles to make his introduction to calling plays a smoother ride.
Brian Fleury to Retains Seahawks’ Core Concepts
Fleury learned his trade as a member of Kyle Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco. That’s significant because Shanahan still calls a version of the famed zone-running scheme, coupled with moving pockets and play-action passing.
In other words, Fleury has ample experience of a system vey similar to what Kubiak called for the Seahawks. The playbook that helped turn Walker into star, but could also make him disposable.
Fleury knows Walker is headed to 2026 NFL free agency, but Macdonald’s new lieutenant still wants to work with the leader of the backfield. Maybe that happens, perhaps it doesn’t, but Fleury’s greater benefit will come from Macdonald’s willingness to trust young coaching unknowns in prominent roles.
Mike Macdonald’s Been Rewarded for Taking Risks
Macdonald had no qualms about trusting somebody with no play-calling experience when he hired Aden Durde as his defensive coordinator in 2024. Durde had never risen higher than a position coach, taking charge of the defensive line for the Dallas Cowboys before moving to Seattle.
He didn’t exactly have complete ownership of the call sheet for the Seahawks. Not when Macdonald’s influence on designing and directing the NFL’s toughest defense is so strong.
Even so, Durde was a prominent voice in how the ‘Dark Side’ unit was constructed. So much so, Macdonald knows “great football mind” and “phenomenal leader” Durde eventually becoming a head coach is “going to happen,” per ESPN’s Jason Reid.
Macdonald leaned on Durde to build the defense that earned the Seahawks a second NFL title. It was rich reward for taking a chance on a lack of play-calling experience.
The Seahawks are targeting the same dividend from investing in Fleury’s potential.