Macdonald didn’t avoid the question when asked about what the OC has meant to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run.
“Obviously, that’s going on with Klint, and like we said before, with our coaches, you know, as they get these opportunities to take their career to the next level, you’re happy for them,” he said. “It’s a little bittersweet because he’s such a great person and a great coach, but we have a lot of great coaches, you know, and those people are gonna have opportunities as well. We want Seattle to be a place where people want to come — not just players play the best version of their football lives here, and the versions of them — we wanted the coaches, as well, be where people can come and flourish and have a chance to take their game to the next level. But look, we’re focused right now. Those are things that we’re gonna worry about after the game. And so, in terms of, like, building the coaching staff, all those things we’re gonna worry about, right now, that’s stuff that we’re going to worry about next week.”
Kubiak played no small part in Sam Darnold’s rejuvenated career. The OC was the passing game coordinator when Darnold was Brock Purdy’s backup in San Francisco in 2023. It was there that the QB’s rebirth started. It’s culminated in the duo getting to another Super Bowl together, this time as key players.
Darnold said it’s not just Kubiak’s scheme that’s helped his career, but the example the coach sets in the grind.
“He was unbelievable,” Darnold said Monday night. “The things that I learned when I was with Klint in ’23 just schematically and then getting to learn from him as a coach, as well, and a person, just the grit. He wakes up at insane hours. He gets to the facility at 4, 4:30 in the morning, and he’s there later than anyone. He’s just a grinder. He loves football. And he’s very honest. He’s very forthcoming with his players that I think myself and a lot of the guys really appreciate about him.”
That grinding will help Kubiak well in Vegas.
The play-caller brought a fresh approach to Seattle, unlocking players on the roster. An offense that went from 18th in points and 14th in yards in 2024 leaped to third in points and eighth in yards under Kubiak.
The Seahawks OC’s ability to meet his players’ skill set has brought Seattle to another level. One example is his usage of the NFL’s leading receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Under Kubiak, the wideout lines up all over the formation to keep defenses off balance.
“Yeah, I think Kubiak is a great student of the game,” JSN said Monday. “I think him understanding his players and what they’re good at, maybe what they’re not good at and putting his players in great position to succeed. Obviously, the playbook and the system he’s run have great success for a long time. So, yeah that’s about it. I don’t think I can comment on anything else.”
Kubiak’s exploits with the Seahawks this season got him a job under Mark Davis and Tom Brady. But his focus is strictly on bringing another Super Bowl to Seattle.
“Part of another process that I’m not wanting to talk about tonight,” Kubiak said of his Raiders’ interview. “We’re all so focused on this game and out players deserve all of our attention for this game.”
Next Monday, Kubiak can talk Raiders.
