Any time there’s a new offensive coordinator, questions abound with concerns about how the scheme will translate with new players and whether they can correct the shortcomings that likely led to the vacancy in the first place. Klint Kubiak takes on that task for the Seattle Seahawks in 2025, and so far, the 12s have to be pleased with what he’s shown as a playcaller in his first two preseason games.
In game one, Seahawks fans got just a small taste. While efficient, few starters participated last week. Thankfully, Week 2 of the preseason allowed fans to get their first look at Sam Darnold and most of the starting offense in action.
The Seahawks' starting offense wasn’t facing the Kansas City Chiefs' entire starting cast, typically featured in Steve Spagnolo’s championship defense, but the playcalls Kubiak drew up were impressive.
Klint Kubiak’s run designs fuel explosive start for Seahawks offense
What really jumped off the screen early for Seattle’s offense was the efficiency in the running game. The Seahawks topped 119 yards in the first quarter alone, primarily through Zach Charbonnet and George Holani. By the end of the first half, working as the misty rain rolled through, the Seahawks racked up 174 yards on the ground, averaging 7.6 yards per carry.
While the ball carriers did their part, bursting through the proper lanes and fighting through contact, it all starts with the guys creating those rushing lanes. The interior trio of Grey Zabel, Jalen Sundell, and Anthony Bradford paved the way for much of the yardage the offense picked up.
While the line was working hard firing off the line, their jobs were made easier in the passing game. In the first two drives, Seattle threw just five passes, but only one was a straight dropback.
Kubiak’s complimentary playcalling shone through as Sam Darnold and Drew Lock were given quick, efficient plays where the primary target was forced open into space. Kansas City’s defense was caught out of position on back-to-back play action rollouts for Darnold that picked up 22 total yards into the red zone, setting up Charbonnet’s score on the ground from 15 yards out.
There was a notable dip in production once the starting offensive line came out of the game. But Damien Martinez still had plenty of space to grab some much-needed production after a lackluster showing last week.
Expectation and excitement are no doubt up for Kubiak’s offense after a dominant showing. Of course, it’s still the preseason, so they have to be tempered a bit. But if Kubiak can translate this type of success to the regular season, he’ll have the offense headed in the right direction and then some.
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