49ers Lose Tight Ends Coach to Seahawks

George Kittle expresses sadness over Brian Fleury's departure to NFC West rival

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Francisco 49ers are losing their tight ends coach Brian Fleury, who is departing to become the new offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. This move has elicited a one-word reaction from 49ers star tight end George Kittle, who expressed sadness over Fleury's departure to the NFC West rival.

Why it matters

Fleury has been an integral part of the 49ers' tight end group, which includes the perennial Pro Bowler Kittle. His departure to the Seahawks, a division rival, is seen as a significant loss for the 49ers and could impact their tight end unit's performance and chemistry going forward.

The details

Brian Fleury started with the 49ers in 2019 as a defensive quality control assistant before concentrating on the team's tight end room over the past four seasons. The 47-year-old Fleury is now heading to Seattle to replace Klint Kubiak as the Seahawks' new offensive coordinator.

  • Fleury has been with the 49ers since 2019.
  • Fleury has been in charge of the 49ers' tight ends since 2022.
  • Fleury is leaving the 49ers to join the Seahawks as their new offensive coordinator.

The players

George Kittle

A 7-time Pro Bowl tight end for the San Francisco 49ers.

Brian Fleury

The former tight ends coach for the San Francisco 49ers, who is now joining the Seattle Seahawks as their new offensive coordinator.

Klint Kubiak

The former offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, who was hired as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Sad”

— George Kittle (Social media)

What’s next

The 49ers will need to find a new tight ends coach to replace Fleury and ensure a smooth transition for their star tight end George Kittle and the rest of the tight end group.

The takeaway

The departure of a key position coach like Brian Fleury to a division rival highlights the competitive nature of the NFC West and the importance of retaining top coaching talent to support star players like George Kittle. The 49ers will need to act quickly to find a suitable replacement to maintain their tight end unit's performance.