Report: Another Seahawks OC candidate gets 2nd interview
Jan 17, 2025, 9:17 AM | Updated: 11:13 am
Minnesota Vikings assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski has advanced to the second round of the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator search, according to a social media post by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Friday morning.
Report: Seahawks to hold 2nd interview with Klint Kubiak for OC job
Udinski, 28, is slated for an in-person interview with the Seahawks on Friday after taking part in a virtual interview earlier this week, Garafolo reported.
Udinski is the second known candidate to receive a second interview for the Seahawks’ OC job. New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak also is interviewing with Seattle on Friday, according to a social media post from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Thursday.
In addition, NFL on CBS insider Jonathan Jones reported on social media Friday morning that the Seahawks have interviewed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Leftwich is the fifth known candidate to be interviewed for Seattle’s OC position, joining Udinski, Kubiak, Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley and Chicago Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown.
Udinski is in his third season with the Vikings and second as the team’s assistant quarterbacks coach. He previously spent two seasons as an assistant on the Carolina Panthers’ staff.
With Minnesota this season, Udinski helped seventh-year quarterback Sam Darnold resurrect his career while starting in place of injured first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings ranked ninth in the league in scoring, 12th in total yards, sixth in passing yards and 19th in rushing yards this year. They were eliminated from the playoffs with an NFC wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.
Leftwich, 45, was Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator for four seasons from 2019 to 2022. The Buccaneers were fourth in scoring in 2019 with Jameis Winston at quarterback, and then third in 2020 and second in 2021 with Tom Brady at QB. They plummeted to 25th in scoring in Brady’s final year in 2022. Leftwich was let go after that season and hasn’t coached since.
Prior to his time with Tampa Bay, Leftwich spent three seasons in various roles with the Arizona Cardinals, including as quarterbacks coach and interim offensive coordinator. Leftwich started 50 games at quarterback over a nine-year NFL career, including 44 starts with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 to 2006.
The Seahawks’ OC position opened after they moved on from Ryan Grubb following his one up-and-down season in the role.
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