The Seahawks are deep into their offensive coordinator search, and they’re keeping things close to home-at least for now. With Klint Kubiak heading to Las Vegas to take over as the Raiders’ new head coach, Seattle is set to interview four internal candidates for the OC role on Thursday and Friday.
The list includes quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, pass game coordinator Jake Peetz, assistant offensive line coach Justin Outten, and Mack Brown. Each brings a unique perspective and background to the table, and the Seahawks are clearly exploring whether the next leader of their offense is already in the building.
Let’s break down what each candidate brings to the table-starting with Justin Outten, who’s had one of the more circuitous paths through the coaching ranks.
Outten, 42, has been grinding in the football world since his days as a graduate assistant at Syracuse in 2007. His résumé includes a lengthy stint at the high school level, where he wore multiple hats as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach at Westfield High School in Houston from 2008 to 2015. That kind of experience-teaching fundamentals and scheming with limited resources-often builds a coach’s adaptability and creativity, two traits that translate well at the pro level.
Outten got his NFL start with the Falcons in 2016 as an offensive intern. He climbed the ladder to offensive assistant before joining the Packers in 2019, where he worked under Matt LaFleur. That Green Bay stint helped shape his understanding of modern zone-based run schemes and play-action-heavy offenses.
In 2022, Outten took on a bigger role as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator under Nathaniel Hackett. It was a tough year in Denver, and after Hackett was let go, Outten moved on to Tennessee to coach running backs and coordinate the run game. His most recent stop has been in Seattle, where he’s worked as a run game specialist and assistant offensive line coach under Kubiak.
That kind of run-game expertise could be appealing to a Seahawks team that has long leaned on a physical rushing attack, especially with a pair of dynamic backs on the roster. Outten’s been around multiple offensive systems and brings a well-rounded view of how to marry the run and pass games-something any OC in today’s NFL has to master.
As for the other candidates-Janocko, Peetz, and Brown-each has their own strengths. Janocko has been working closely with the quarterbacks, giving him a direct connection to the most important position on the field. That insight could be key if the Seahawks are looking to take the next step with their current signal-caller or develop a young QB down the line.
Peetz, the pass game coordinator, has his fingerprints on the aerial attack. His experience designing route concepts and scripting passing plays puts him in a strong position if the Seahawks want to lean into a more aggressive, vertical offense.
Mack Brown is another name in the mix, though details on his current role are limited. Still, his inclusion in the interview process suggests the Seahawks see real potential in his football acumen.
Seattle’s approach here shows a commitment to continuity-evaluating the voices already embedded in the system before looking outside. With Kubiak’s departure, the Seahawks have an opportunity to either maintain the offensive identity they began building last season or pivot in a new direction with someone already in the room.
We’ll keep an eye on how this plays out, but for now, the Seahawks are doing their due diligence, and the next offensive coordinator might just be a familiar face.