The NFL coaching carousel is basically a high-stakes game of musical chairs played by guys in expensive headsets. Right now, the music hasn't stopped, but it’s definitely slowing down. For the Seattle Seahawks, the biggest question of the 2026 offseason isn't about their roster—it's about whether Mike Macdonald will be forced into a Seahawks offensive coordinator search he really doesn't want to conduct.
Klint Kubiak has been the talk of the league. Seriously. After turning a stagnant 2024 offense into a top-three scoring unit in 2025, he’s been the "it" candidate for every team with a vacancy. But as of mid-January 2026, the winds are shifting.
The Kubiak Effect and the Looming Vacancy
When Macdonald fired Ryan Grubb after just one season in early 2025, the move felt risky. Grubb was a college wizard who couldn't quite translate his "Washington Husky" air-raid style to the pros. Seattle finished 28th in rushing yards that year. It was ugly.
Then came Kubiak.
He didn't just fix the offense; he overhauled the DNA of the team. He brought over a heavy dose of the Shanahan system, mixed in some New Orleans flair, and turned Sam Darnold into a legitimate Pro Bowler. Under Kubiak, the Seahawks jumped from 18th in scoring to 3rd. That kind of turnaround usually earns you a head coaching gig within minutes of the season ending.
Naturally, the interview requests flooded in. The Falcons, Giants, Browns, and Ravens all came knocking. For a while, it felt like a 95% certainty that Seattle would be looking for a new play-caller. But then, the NFL did what the NFL does—it got weird.
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Why the Search Might Be on Hold
Honestly, the last 48 hours have been a massive relief for Seahawks fans. The Atlanta Falcons, who many viewed as the front-runner for Kubiak due to his history with Kirk Cousins, just hired Kevin Stefanski.
That’s a domino effect you can't ignore.
With Stefanski off the market, the number of landing spots for Kubiak is shrinking. The Giants are still lurking, but there’s a growing sense in league circles that teams are pivoting back toward "experienced" head coaches rather than first-time coordinators. If Kubiak doesn't land a head coaching job in this cycle, Mike Macdonald avoids the nightmare of replacing his most important assistant.
If the Search Happens: The Names to Watch
If a team like the Giants or Raiders eventually pulls the trigger on Kubiak, who does Seattle call? Mike Macdonald isn't the type to just hire a "yes man." He wants "edges"—that’s his favorite phrase. He wants coaches who think ahead of the curve.
There are a few names that would immediately jump to the top of the list:
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- John Benton: Currently the Seahawks' offensive line coach. He’s a veteran with deep roots in the zone-blocking scheme. Promoting from within would keep the continuity that helped Charles Cross and rookie Gray Zabel thrive this year.
- Andrew Janocko: The current QBs coach. He’s been the "Darnold whisperer" in Seattle. If you want to keep your quarterback happy, you hire the guy he trusts most.
- Jake Peetz: A name that keeps surfacing in coaching circles. He’s got that modern offensive mind that Macdonald craves.
- The "Stefanski" Pivot: If the Browns firing Stefanski (who then went to Atlanta) left a vacuum, there might be high-level offensive assistants from that staff looking for a new home.
The Complexity of the Choice
You've got to understand the situation Macdonald is in. He’s a defensive genius. He turned the Seahawks' defense into a top-five unit in 2025. But because he spends so much energy on that side of the ball, he needs an offensive coordinator who can basically run a "team within a team."
The 2024 failure with Ryan Grubb proved that you can't just hire a "hot name" and hope for the best. Grubb tried to run 15 pass plays on 17 snaps. It was madness. Macdonald wants "ground and pound" with a side of explosive shots. He wants the fullback involved. He wants disguise.
Any Seahawks offensive coordinator search would have to prioritize someone who understands that balance. You can't just be a "pass-happy" guy in this building anymore.
What Fans Get Wrong About the Search
Most people assume that if Kubiak leaves, the offense regresses to 2024 levels. That’s probably a bit dramatic. The roster is much better now than it was two years ago.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a superstar. He’s rewriting the record books in Seattle. Having a receiver who can dominate the slot and the perimeter gives any new OC a massive "easy button." Plus, the offensive line, led by Charles Cross, is finally a strength rather than a liability.
The real danger of a coordinator search isn't a lack of talent; it's a lack of identity. Seattle finally found its soul under Kubiak. Changing that now, just as they've reclaimed the NFC West title, would be a bitter pill to swallow.
Actionable Insights for the 12s
If you’re tracking this search, here is how you should actually read the news over the next week:
- Watch the Giants and Raiders: These are the two biggest threats to steal Kubiak. If they hire anyone else, breathe a sigh of relief.
- Monitor "Internal" Rumors: If you start hearing John Benton's name more frequently, it means the Seahawks are preparing for a "continuity" hire. This is generally good news for the players.
- Check the QB Market: If Sam Darnold’s camp stays quiet, it’s a sign he’s comfortable with the contingency plans. If he starts sounding non-committal, the coaching search is probably getting messy behind the scenes.
The most likely outcome? Klint Kubiak stays in Seattle for one more year to "gird his reputation" (as the insiders say) and becomes the #1 candidate in 2027. For a team that just secured a #1 seed, that’s exactly the kind of stability they need to make a Super Bowl run.