Seahawks Poach 49ers Offensive Coach in Surprise Move

Brian Fleury leaves San Francisco to become Seattle's new offensive coordinator.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In a shocking development, the Seattle Seahawks have hired away Brian Fleury, the San Francisco 49ers' tight ends coach, to be their new offensive coordinator. Fleury, who had been with the 49ers for over five years and was seen as a rising star in the organization, will now be coaching against his former team twice a year.

Why it matters

This move is a significant blow to the 49ers, who were grooming Fleury to potentially become their future offensive coordinator. Now, he will be leading the offense for their NFC West rival Seahawks, who defeated the 49ers in the playoffs last season before going on to win the Super Bowl.

The details

Fleury started his coaching career over 20 years ago as an intern and assistant at Maryland. He joined the 49ers in 2019 as their defensive quality coach, then switched to the offensive side the following year, serving as the run game coordinator and tight ends coach through 2024. His move up the coaching ladder within the 49ers organization suggested he was being prepared to take over as the team's offensive coordinator, but instead he will now be calling plays for the reigning Super Bowl champions.

  • Fleury joined the 49ers in 2019 as their defensive quality coach.
  • In 2020, Fleury switched to the offensive side, serving as the run game coordinator and tight ends coach through 2024.
  • Fleury is now leaving the 49ers to become the new offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.

The players

Brian Fleury

A rising coaching star who had been with the San Francisco 49ers for over five years, most recently as their tight ends coach and run game coordinator. He is now leaving to become the new offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle Seahawks

The reigning Super Bowl champions, who defeated the 49ers in the playoffs last season before winning the title.

San Francisco 49ers

The NFC West rival of the Seahawks, who were grooming Fleury to potentially become their future offensive coordinator.

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What’s next

Fleury will now be tasked with leading the Seahawks' offense and trying to help the team defend their Super Bowl title, while the 49ers will need to find a new offensive coordinator to replace the departing Fleury.

The takeaway

This high-profile coaching move between two NFC West rivals highlights the constant churn and competition in the NFL, where top assistant coaches are constantly in demand and often leave for better opportunities, even if it means joining a hated division opponent.