Seahawks’ reshaped offence faces early test against Patriots
Brian Fleury’s first season as Seattle’s offensive coordinator will begin under scrutiny as the Seahawks host New England in a Super Bowl LX rematch.
The Seattle Seahawks will open the 2026 NFL season at home against the New England Patriots on Wednesday night, with the transition to a new offensive coordinator forming the central test for the defending champions.
Brian Fleury replaced Klink Kubiak after Kubiak left Seattle to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Fleury, most recently San Francisco’s run-game coordinator and tight ends coach, is now responsible for directing an offence that ranked among the league’s strongest in 2025.
According to Fox Sports, Seattle ranked third in scoring and seventh in total yards under Kubiak, while finishing in the top 10 for both passing and rushing. Sam Darnold recorded his second consecutive 4,000-yard passing season, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the league in receiving.
The change comes with significant personnel adjustments. Kenneth Walker III left in free agency, while Zach Charbonnet is expected to miss at least the first four games after suffering a torn ACL.
A late-August joint practice exposed possible issues in Seattle’s run game and passing attack, including a pick-six thrown by Darnold. The session was only a pre-season snapshot, but it sharpened questions around Fleury’s adaptation to play-calling and his ability to sustain the Seahawks’ offensive production.
Fleury’s system shares terminology and principles with the scheme Seattle used last season, including an emphasis on establishing the run to create play-action opportunities. The opener will provide the first regular-season indication of how that transition is taking shape.
