Some offseason moves feel procedural. Others feel personal. For George Kittle, Brian Fleury’s move to the Seattle Seahawks as offensive coordinator falls into the second category. The San Francisco 49ers’ longtime tight ends coach, the steady, detail-obsessed presence who helped refine Kittle’s game over the past several seasons, is now crossing enemy lines to join an NFC West rival. And not just any rival. Seattle.
Brian Fleury’s Move to the Seahawks Hits George Kittle Close to Home
Kittle’s public response to Fleury leaving was warm, gracious, and undeniably human. He posted a few photos of them together on Instagram, writing: “Was an honor to share this journey with you fleur! … Go be great!”
It read like a proud sendoff. It probably also felt like a quiet goodbye to a chapter that meant more than the box scores ever showed.
Fleury came to San Francisco in 2019 as a defensive quality control coach. From there, he shifted to offensive quality control (2020-21), then stepped into the tight ends coach role in 2022. By 2025, he’d added run game coordinator to his title.
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Fleury’s path matters because it shaped how he coached. He did not grow up as a lifelong tight end guru polishing the same techniques he’d practiced for decades. He brought a defensive lens into an offensive meeting room. He taught tight ends how defenders think, how they diagnose leverage, how they read first steps, how they anticipate hand placement in tight spaces.
When Fleury was promoted in 2022, he flew to Nashville to spend time with Kittle before the season began. Not for a photo op. For connection. For alignment.
Kittle once described the experience as a “complete restructure and relearning,” according to The Athletic. Fleury was not trying to change who he was as a player. He was sharpening the edges and reframing pass concepts from the other side of the ball.
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Wherever Kittle went at Levi’s Stadium, Fleury was usually nearby too; from sideline chats during games to training camp drills together in the Santa Clara heat, and even making subtle mid-game adjustments as part of the rhythm that defined their time together.
But that rhythm is gone now. The Seahawks are betting that Fleury’s versatility translates on a bigger stage. His background suggests a coordinator who values structure in the run game and purposeful tight end usage. It’s not hard to imagine Seattle leaning into that identity, especially knowing how productive San Francisco’s offense has been during Fleury’s tenure.
