Fleury has been a key figure in San Francisco since 2019, transitioning from defense to tight ends coach in 2022 and adding run game coordinator duties in 2025. His background—combining quarterback experience with defensive coaching—has shaped his method of teaching and helped Kittle sharpen his attention to detail, earning praise from the tight end as someone who understands every facet of the offense.
Kittle has previously highlighted Fleury’s impact, noting his emphasis on details and his ability to offer new perspectives that reveal aspects of the scheme Kittle hadn’t previously considered. The tight end described Fleury’s defensive insight as a differentiator in how he teaches and structures responsibilities in the tight end room.
For Seattle, the move signals a degree of continuity within the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, with expectations that the Seahawks will maintain core elements of their run-first, outside-zone approach. For San Francisco, the departure creates an immediate offseason task: identifying a replacement for a multifaceted coach who influenced a prominent playmaker.
Kittle’s succinct reaction reflects the broader NFL dynamic of coaching continuity and the personal impact such staff moves have on players who thrive on detailed, nuanced instruction. The story underscores how a coach’s influence can extend beyond schematic changes, affecting player development and club identity.
