New Seahawks OC shares view after reuniting with QB Sam Darnold

Brian Fleury may be in his first year as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, but there’s one thing that should be helping ease him into the role, which is his relationship with quarterback Sam Darnold.

New Seahawks OC Brian Fleury already earning players’ respect

Before joining Mike Macdonald’s coaching staff in Seattle, Fleury was on the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff under head coach Kyle Shanahan. That includes in 2023 when he was tight ends coach for the Niners and Darnold was the backup QB behind Brock Purdy.

Both Fleury and Darnold have been on the rise in the two years since. Fleury added run game coordinator to his duties last year with San Francisco, while Darnold became a Pro Bowler in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, then quarterbacked the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship last season.

Now that the two are reunited, Fleury shared Wednesday on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy what stands out about Darnold to him now.

On the top of the list, Darnold hasn’t changed, according to Fleury.

“He’s obviously the same person and he’s got the same talents,” Fleury said. “He’s always been very talented, and I think he’s just kind of grown in wisdom and experience, and just in taking a different approach to how he wants to take his game to the next level.”

SAM DARNOLD FOUR TD PASSES IN THE FIRST HALF.

SEAvsWAS on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/fax1SUUUBo

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2025

When Darnold joined the 49ers, he was only 26 but had already had multi-season stints as a starter for the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. The year as a backup has been credited as a factor in his emergence with the Vikings and Seahawks, and Fleury had a unique view of that time.

“I saw a lot of growth in the year that we spent with him, and then to see him take that growth and expand upon it in Minnesota, with the opportunity to play in a lot of games that he didn’t really get with us, was really cool,” Fleury said. “And then to see that again transfer into what he did last year, it’s just been awesome. I’m really, really happy for him. … I just love his grit and I love the way he’s fought through that and reinvented himself, and I’m thrilled to be working with him again.”

Hear the full Bump and Stacy conversation with Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury in the podcast below. Catch Bump and Stacy live from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

Seattle Seahawks news and more

• Is Seahawks fullback’s status a cause for concern?
• What Brock noticed schematically from Seahawks’ offense at camp
• Top Seattle Seahawks pick Jadarian Price aims to prove his worth

Related

‘Hungry’ for a Year 2 leap, Arroyo drawing buzz at Seahawks campSeahawks’ Derick Hall says he, teammates made up after fight on ‘Hard Knocks’Aaron Donald works out for Rams in latest step on comeback pathRoster Moves: Seahawks sign UDFA RB and CB‘Hard Knocks’ highlights Kupp’s behind-the-scenes value to SeahawksNew Seahawks OC Brian Fleury already earning players’ respect