The Seattle Seahawks are making an adjustment on their coaching staff, as running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu has taken a leave of absence from the team for personal reasons. The timeline for his return hasn’t been disclosed, and for now, the Seahawks are shifting responsibilities internally to keep the run game on track.
Polamalu, a respected veteran in the coaching ranks and the uncle of Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, joined Seattle earlier this year during Mike Macdonald’s first offseason as head coach. He brought with him a wealth of experience from previous stints with the Raiders and Vikings, and quickly made an impact in Seattle’s revamped offensive structure.
In the interim, two coaches will step in to handle Polamalu’s duties: Justin Outten and Michael Byrne. Outten, who arrived this offseason as part of the offensive staff overhaul led by Klint Kubiak and John Benton, has been working as the Seahawks’ run game specialist and assistant offensive line coach.
He’s no stranger to the intricacies of the ground game and should provide a steady hand during Polamalu’s absence. Byrne, now in his second year in the NFL, is an offensive assistant who’s been gaining experience across multiple facets of the offense and will help support the running backs group.
Polamalu’s influence has already been felt in Seattle this season. He was awarded a game ball in November following the team’s 44-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals - a game that showcased a balanced, high-efficiency attack and strong execution in the run game, areas where Polamalu’s fingerprints were evident.
According to reporting from Tom Pelissero, Polamalu is stepping away from on-field coaching duties for now and may take on other responsibilities within the organization during his time away. While the team hasn’t offered additional details beyond citing personal reasons, the Seahawks are clearly supportive of their coach, and the hope is that he’ll return when the time is right.
In the meantime, Seattle will look to maintain continuity in the backfield, with Outten and Byrne tasked with keeping the unit sharp as the regular season continues.