The Seattle Seahawks are riding high after their Super Bowl win, but they’re now facing a significant shake-up on the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is expected to take the head coaching job with the Las Vegas Raiders in the coming days-a late and less-than-ideal time to lose a key figure in the offensive brain trust.
With Kubiak on his way out, the focus quickly shifts to who might step into his role. Head coach Mike Macdonald, a defensive-minded leader, could lean toward keeping things in-house to maintain continuity on the offensive side.
Two names already gaining traction internally are passing game coordinator Jake Peetz and running backs coach Justin Outten. Both have been instrumental in the Seahawks' offensive success this season and would offer a sense of stability amid the transition.
But there’s also one intriguing external name being floated: Mike Kafka. According to league sources, Seattle was highly impressed with Kafka during their head coaching search two years ago.
At the time, he was the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants under Brian Daboll. Kafka finished this past season as the Giants’ interim head coach and is reportedly headed to the Detroit Lions in a high-ranking offensive role that has yet to be officially announced.
Here’s where things get interesting. While Kafka is expected to join Detroit, he hasn’t officially been named to a position yet.
And with Drew Petzing already locked in as the Lions’ offensive coordinator and play caller, Kafka’s role in Detroit wouldn’t come with the same autonomy he’d likely have in Seattle. If the Seahawks come calling, it could be a real promotion-play-calling duties, full control of the offense, and a chance to work alongside a defensive head coach who would likely give him the keys to that side of the ball.
Kafka’s situation isn’t unprecedented. Lions fans may recall when Scottie Montgomery interviewed for the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator job just days after being hired as Detroit’s running backs coach.
While Montgomery ultimately stayed, the possibility of a quick exit was very real. Kafka could find himself in a similar spot-on the verge of joining one team, only to pivot to a more prominent opportunity elsewhere.
From Seattle’s perspective, promoting from within remains the most straightforward path. Peetz and Outten both know the system, the personnel, and the expectations. But Kafka’s name being mentioned at this stage-especially with the Seahawks already having a strong impression of him-feels like more than just a long shot.
This is a pivotal decision for Seattle. With Macdonald focused on the defense, the offensive coordinator will be a central figure in shaping the team’s identity moving forward. Whether that’s someone already in the building or a rising offensive mind like Kafka, the Seahawks need to get this hire right-and fast.