Sam Darnold on Seahawks' new offensive coordinator: ‘Fleury has been great' | Notebook

RENTON - If there's any comfort for Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold in spending the offseason learning how to work with a new offensive coordinator it's that he's done it before.

Brian Fleury, hired as Seattle's new OC to replace the departed Klint Kubiak - who was named head coach of the Raiders following the Super Bowl - is the seventh different coordinator Darnold has worked with since 2020 when he was at Carolina.

Reminded of that stat Wednesday, Darnold smiled and said "I'm not really keeping track.

Proof that he's gotten good at adapting to a new OC, however, came the last two seasons when Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record in 2024 and then Seattle to a 14-3 mark in the regular season and the Super Bowl title last season.

And helping the process this time is that Darnold and Fleury have worked together before - each with the 49ers in 2023 - and that the offense Fleury is installing is pretty similar to Kubiak's.

Each is based on the system of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and an outside zone running scheme. Darnold was the backup QB with the 49ers in 2023 when Fleury was the tight ends coach before adding the title of run game coordinator last year.

"Fleury has been great," said Darnold, who talked to media following Wednesday's Organized Team Activity at the VMAC for the first time since the Super Bowl. "Just his command, his presence, the way that he installs it with the run game, pass game, his command over the entire system has been incredible."

Darnold said the offense is "a lot of the same stuff" but with "a couple different wrinkles here and there. So it's been good that way, to be able to get some of that same verbiage but also a couple different wrinkles."

Darnold said Fleury also shares some personality characteristics with Kubiak, who was known for his low-key manner.

"He's really stoic,'' Darnold said of Fleury. "I think that's one thing that really stands out. His standard is really high for our group, not only for us but for himself as well. That's one thing that is great to see.''

Shaheed makes highlight play

One goal for both Darnold and Fleury this season is to make more use of receiver Rashid Shaheed in the passing attack.

Shaheed was a standout as a returner after being acquired in November in a trade with New Orleans with two kickoff returns for a touchdown and another on a punt.

But he had just 15 catches for 188 yards with a long of 33 in nine regular season games with Seattle and three for 78 in the postseason. After Shaheed re-signed as a free agent on a three-year deal worth up to $51 million, coach Mike Macdonald said the team hopes he gets more involved as a receiver this season.

There was a promising moment in that regard Wednesday as Shaheed got open on a deep route during a team session and reeled in a long pass from Darnold.

A caveat to remember with any big play in OTAs is that the sessions are no contact, with defenders asked not to make plays on the ball that could cause contact.

But all involved obviously hope that's a sign of things to come.

"I feel like we're good,'' Darnold said of how he's working with Shaheed. "We're just continuing to learn each other.''

Haynes steps in for Bradford at RG

One position battle to watch is right guard where Anthony Bradford could get a test from both rookie fifth-round pick Beau Stephens and third-year vet Christian Haynes.

For now, Haynes is holding the backup spot as became clear when he stepped in with the starting offense about midway through Wednesday's workout when Bradford left after getting his knee hit during a team session.

The injury did not appear serious as Bradford remained in uniform as he watched the rest of the practice from the sideline with his helmet, but he did not take another snap with Haynes going the rest of the way with the starting offensive line and Stephens working with the backups.

While the sessions are officially noncontact, some bumping into each other is obviously unavoidable.

Macdonald, however, a couple times Wednesday made sure to reinforce with his players that the goal is to keep each other safe during OTAs and emphasize learning and execution.

"Kind of have to tame (it) and take care of each other and take care of the way you practice, as linebacker Derick Hall put it later.

Notes

• Cornerback Devon Witherspoon has attended all of the offseason program. But as was the case with an OTA that was open to the media last week, Witherspoon did not take part in any full-team drills Wednesday. That appears to be a playing-it-safe approach as the team is negotiating with Witherspoon on a contract extension.

• As has been the norm the last several years, a few of the team's veteran defensive linemen got the day off from what are voluntary drills with Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence and Jarran Reed all not on the field. All, however, have taken part in other workouts.

• Second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo was present but not in uniform Wednesday. Macdonald did not speak to media so there were no personnel updates. That left Seattle thin at tight end with AJ Barner and Eric Saubert also present but sitting out on-field work as they nurse health issues. Backup OL Bryce Cabeldue was also not in uniform as were players who are rehabbing known injuries such as running backs Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh and receiver Tory Horton.

• George Holani continues to go first in the rotation at running back followed by rookie Jadarian Price and veteran free-agent signee Emanuel Wilson. Wilson was not present last week while handling a personal matter but has returned this week.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 11:42 PM.