Macdonald didn’t shy away from the question when asked what OC has meant to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory.
“Obviously it’s going on with Klint, and like we said before, with our coaches, you know, as they get these opportunities to take their careers to the next level, you’re happy for them,” he said. “It’s kind of bittersweet because he’s such a great person and a great coach, but we’ve got a lot of great coaches, you know, and those people will have a chance, too. We want Seattle to be a place where people want to come — not just players playing the best version of their football lives here, and the versions of them — we wanted the coaches, also next, to be there for their people and be able to have a chance to watch their game and have a chance. We’re focused right now.”
Kubiak played no small part in Sam Darnold’s rejuvenated career. OC was the coordinator of the passing game when Darnold was Brock Purdy’s backup in San Francisco in 2023. That’s where the QB rebirth began. It has culminated in the duo reaching another Super Bowl together, this time as key players.
Darnold said it wasn’t just Kubiak’s suggestion that helped his career, but the example the coach sets in goal.
“He was unbelievable,” Darnold said Monday night. “What I learned when I was with Klint in ’23 just clearly and getting to learn from him as a coach, too, and a person, just kidding. He wakes up at crazy hours. He gets to the facility at 4, 4:30 in the morning, and he’s there later than anybody. He’s just honest. He loves his football a lot. He loves his football a lot. players that I think me and a lot of the guys really know appreciate him.”
That grind will serve Kubiak well in Vegas.
The player brought a new approach to Seattle and opened up players on the roster. An offense that went from 18th in points and 14th in yards in 2024 jumped to third in points and eighth in yards under Kubiak.
The Seahawks OC’s ability to match the talent of their players has taken Seattle to another level. One example is his use of the NFL’s leading receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Under Kubiak, the wideouts line up throughout the system to keep defenses balanced.
“Yeah, I think Kubiak is a great student of the game,” JSN said Monday. “I think he understands his players and what they’re good at, maybe what they’re not good at and puts his players in a great position to be successful. It’s obvious that the playbook and the system that he’s run has been very successful for a long time. So, yeah, that’s the thing. I don’t think I can comment on anything else.”
Kubiak’s exploits with the Seahawks this season landed him a job under Mark Davis and Tom Brady. But his focus is solely on bringing another Super Bowl to Seattle.
“Part of another process I don’t want to talk about tonight,” Kubiak said of his interview with the Raiders. “We are all so focused on this game and the players deserve all our attention for this game.”
Next Monday, Kubiak can talk about the Raiders.