The Atlanta Falcons have officially put the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator in their head coaching mix, at a time when Seattle is trying to keep its focus on a Super Bowl run.
Per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Atlanta has requested interviews with Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver for the Falcons’ head coaching vacancy.
For Seahawks fans, the immediate question is when that interview can happen, and how it fits into Seattle’s postseason schedule.
NFL timeline adds clarity on “when this can happen”
A league interview timeline circulating for the 2026 hiring cycle notes all first-round interviews must be conducted virtually, and it outlines when teams can begin talking to candidates.
The key dates from that timeline:
- Tuesday, Jan. 6: Interviews can begin with candidates whose teams did not make the playoffs or who have first-round byes, depending on when the interviewing club played in Week 18 (Saturday).
- Wednesday, Jan. 7: Same concept, tied to if the interviewing club played Week 18 (Sunday).
- Tuesday, Jan. 13: Interviews can begin with candidates who coached in Saturday/Sunday wild-card games.
- Wednesday, Jan. 14: Interviews can begin with candidates who coached in Monday’s wild-card game.
Because Seattle is the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a first-round bye, Kubiak’s availability fits neatly into that early window, which is why Atlanta’s request matters now, not later.
Key details Seahawks fans will care about
- Atlanta requested an interview with Klint Kubiak for its head coaching vacancy (per Pelissero). Atlanta’s candidacy came open after they parted ways with Raheem Morris on January 5.
- Kubiak is interview-eligible this week because the Seahawks have a first-round bye.
- In Kubiak’s first season in Seattle, the Seahawks finished No. 3 in points and No. 8 in total yards.
- Sam Darnold: 67.7%, 4,048 yards, 25 TD, 14 INT as Seattle went 14-3.
Why the Falcons’ Request Is a Big Seahawks Story
From Seattle’s perspective, this is the “success tax.”
A top-three scoring offense tends to put coordinators on head-coach radars quickly, and Kubiak’s first year calling plays in Seattle came with the kind of résumé line that makes interview requests feel inevitable.
But the awkward part is timing.
Seattle’s bye week is a competitive advantage for rest and preparation, and it also creates a clean window for outside teams to schedule virtual interviews. Even if everything is handled professionally, it’s still another obligation on a week when the Seahawks are trying to sharpen their postseason plan.
What It Means for Seattle During the Bye Week
The Seahawks don’t have to make any staffing decisions today. This is about bandwidth and focus.
Kubiak preparing for an interview doesn’t mean Seattle’s offense suddenly changes, but it does add an extra layer to a week that’s normally about self-scouting, red-zone tweaks, and building a Divisional Round plan.
It also puts a spotlight on a reality teams hate dealing with in January: once a coordinator becomes a legitimate head coaching candidate, the conversation can shift from “great season” to “how do you keep continuity?”
If Seattle keeps winning, Kubiak’s profile likely rises. If Atlanta moves quickly and narrows to finalists, the Seahawks may eventually have to think about what comes next after the season, even while trying to extend the season as long as possible.
Kubiak’s Background Helps Explain the Interest
Kubiak — the son of longtime NFL head coach Gary Kubiak — has been in notable offensive roles in recent seasons, including serving as the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator in 2024 and the San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator in 2023. He’s also had two stints with the Denver Broncos and coached with the Minnesota Vikings from 2019-2021.
But the main selling point in Atlanta’s request is simple: Seattle’s offense worked, and it worked at a high level in Year 1 with him calling plays.
What Happens Next
The NFL’s interview calendar is the real “timeline” hook here: virtual first-round interviews and early-week windows are exactly why this story lands while the Seahawks are on bye.
If Atlanta’s interest persists beyond the first call, the Seahawks’ postseason results could determine how loud the buzz gets, and how quickly this turns into a multi-step storyline that lingers through January.
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