George Kittle Reacts to 49ers' TE Coach Becoming Seahawks' New OC

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle reacted warmly to the news that his longtime position coach, Brian Fleury, is leaving the 49ers to become the new offensive coordinator for the rival Seattle Seahawks. Fleury had worked closely with Kittle for several seasons, helping to refine his game, and the two had developed a close working relationship.

Why it matters

Fleury's departure from the 49ers to join their NFC West rival Seahawks represents a significant shift in the coaching landscape of the division. His familiarity with Kittle and the 49ers' offense could provide valuable intel to the Seahawks as they prepare to face San Francisco twice a year.

The details

Fleury joined the 49ers in 2019 as a defensive quality control coach, before shifting to offensive quality control in 2020-21 and then becoming the tight ends coach in 2022, adding the title of run game coordinator in 2025. His background on the defensive side of the ball helped him bring a unique perspective to coaching the tight ends, focusing on how defenders think and anticipate. Kittle credited Fleury with helping him "completely restructure and relearn" certain aspects of his game.

• Fleury joined the 49ers in 2019.
• He became the tight ends coach in 2022, adding run game coordinator to his title in 2025.
• Fleury is leaving the 49ers to become the new offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks in 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

It remains to be seen how Fleury's move to the Seahawks will impact the 49ers-Seahawks rivalry, and how his familiarity with Kittle and the 49ers' offense will be utilized by Seattle.