Seahawks Rumors: Byron Leftwich Interviews for OC Job After Ryan Grubb's Firing

Former NFL quarterback and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich interviewed for the Seattle Seahawks' vacant offensive coordinator position recently, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

Leftwich previously interviewed for the New England Patriots' head coaching vacancy, however, the Pats hired former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel as their new head coach, replacing Jerod Mayo.

The Seahawks' OC opening was created last week when the team fired Ryan Grubb after only one year on the job.

Leftwich, 45, was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft out of Marshall, and he went on to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers and Bucs over the course of his 10-year career.

He broke into coaching in 2016 with the Arizona Cardinals under head coach Bruce Arians, first serving as a coaching intern before becoming quarterbacks coach and then interim offensive coordinator.

Arians brought Leftwich with him to Tampa in 2019, and he spent four years as the Buccaneers' OC.

The Bucs had a top-three scoring offense in the NFL in each of Leftwich's first three seasons, and they won the Super Bowl in 2020 following the arrival of legendary quarterback Tom Brady.

Tampa ranked only 15th in total offense and 25th in scoring in Brady's final season in 2022, though, and Leftwich was fired at the conclusion of the campaign.

Leftwich has been out of coaching for the past two years, but he is back in the mix and may be one of the most experienced candidates available to the Seahawks.

However, Leftwich has some stiff competition for the OC job in the form of Grant Udinski, who served as the Minnesota Vikings' assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach this season.

Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Udinski already had a virtual interview with the Seahawks this week, and he will meet with them in person on Friday.

With help from Udinski, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold enjoyed a breakout year in 2024, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for the 14-3 Vikes.

Whoever lands the OC job in Seattle will take over an offense that ranked 14th in total yards and 18th in scoring in 2024.

The Seahawks were only 28th in the league in rushing despite boasting a quality running back duo of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, so it is fair to assume that head coach Mike Macdonald would like to see his next offensive coordinator commit more heavily to the run.