Sources: Seahawks fire OC Grubb after 1 season

The Seattle Seahawks have fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after one season, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.

The move comes a day after the Seahawks finished 10-7 in coach Mike Macdonald’s first season, and after speculation had been mounting that Grubb’s job was not safe.

The Seahawks ranked 21st in offensive scoring (20.0 points per game), 14th in total offense (332.2) and eighth in passing yards (236.5). But the run game Macdonald wanted to rely on as a defensive-minded head coach was a constant struggle, with Seattle finishing 28th in rushing (95.7) and 17th in yards per carry (4.2).

Grubb had never coached in the NFL until the Seahawks hired him in February, bringing the OC and offensive line coach Scott Huff back to Seattle after they had followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama.

Quarterback Geno Smith, a strong Grubb supporter, mentioned that fact while giving a glowing endorsement of his playcaller after Seattle closed out the season Sunday with a 30-25 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

“I think Grubb is an excellent, excellent coordinator,” he said. “Even better man. Our first year, obviously there was some ups and downs, there was some things we can improve on. We’ll work hard to get those things fixed, but I believe in this system. I believe this is a really good system and it’s going to be really good for a long time.

“I think Grubb has exactly what it takes to be a great coordinator in this league, and it’s his first year; you’ve got to give the guy some grace. He’s figuring things out too. I thought he did an outstanding job leading the group. I love the passion that he brings to the game, and he made me a better quarterback.”