Seahawks Expected to Hire 49ers Assistant Brian Fleury as OC

Seattle is finalizing a deal to bring San Francisco 49ers tight ends coach Brian Fleury north to serve as the team's new offensive coordinator.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that the Seattle Seahawks are expected to hire Brian Fleury as their new offensive coordinator. Fleury arrives in the Pacific Northwest following a tenure as the tight ends coach for the San Francisco 49ers, where he served under head coach Kyle Shanahan. This move fills a critical vacancy on Mike Macdonald’s coaching staff as the franchise prepares for the 2025 NFL season. The transition involves a direct intra-divisional raid, pulling a key schematic architect from a primary NFC West rival.

During his time in San Francisco, Fleury oversaw a position group headlined by All-Pro George Kittle, who recorded 1,020 receiving yards and six touchdowns during the 2023 regular season. The 49ers' offense finished that year ranked second in total yards per game with an average of 398.4 and third in scoring at 28.9 points per contest. Fleury’s influence extended beyond the passing game, as his unit was integral to a rushing attack that generated 140.5 yards per outing, ranking fourth in the league. These statistical benchmarks provided the foundation for Seattle’s interest in his play-calling potential.

Fleury’s coaching resume includes diverse roles that prepared him for this coordinator jump. Before focusing on tight ends, he served as a reserve offensive assistant and quality control coach, gaining exposure to the intricate blocking progressions and pre-snap motions that define the Shanahan system. The 49ers utilized 21 personnel (two backs, one tight end) on 38% of their snaps in 2023, the highest rate in the NFL, showcasing a philosophy Fleury is now expected to adapt for the Seahawks' roster. Seattle’s offense, which averaged 21.4 points per game last season, seeks to improve upon its 21st-place finish in total yardage.

Macdonald’s decision to target Fleury follows an exhaustive search to replace the previous offensive leadership. By selecting a candidate from the San Francisco tree, the Seahawks are prioritizing a wide-zone blocking scheme and a heavy emphasis on play-action passing. In 2023, the 49ers led the league in yards per pass attempt at 9.3, a metric that highlights the efficiency Seattle hopes to replicate with Geno Smith and a receiving corps featuring DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Metcalf finished the previous campaign with 1,114 yards and eight scores, targets that Fleury will now be tasked with maximizing.

The logistical timing of the hire allows Fleury to begin staff evaluations immediately ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine. Seattle holds the 16th overall pick in the upcoming draft, and the new coordinator will have significant input on whether the team targets offensive line depth or additional skill position talent. The 49ers' offense converted 47.5% of their third-down opportunities last year, a stark contrast to the Seahawks' 36.2% conversion rate, marking a specific area of statistical deficiency that Fleury is recruited to rectify. This appointment marks the first time Fleury will hold full play-calling responsibilities at the professional level.