Report: Seahawks Expected to Hire Pair of Former Ravens Assistants to Coaching Staff

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr on the sidelines before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Transitioning from celebrating a Super Bowl LX victory to all-out offseason mode, Mike Macdonald and the Seattle Seahawks appear to be off to a running start building their coaching staff for the 2026 season with a few old connections coming on board.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN and long-time Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr., the Seahawks are expected to hire former Ravens assistant quarterback coach Daniel Stern and defensive coordinator Zachary Orr, reuniting both coaches with Macdonald from their days previously together in Baltimore.

Stern, who was tabbed by ESPN reporter Jordan Raanan as one of coach John Harbaugh’s “right hand men,” spent 10 seasons with the Ravens while occupying several different roles. Most recently, he held the title of director of football strategy as well as assistant quarterback coach, having involvement “with the playbook, call sheet, opponent analysis and self-scouting” as well as consulting on time management and coaches’ challenges.

Stern’s role has yet to be defined, though Schefter reported he could be involved as a pass game specialist in some capacity. Once a new offensive coordinator has been hired to replace Klint Kubiak, who accepted the head coaching position with the Raiders earlier this week, there should be more clarity on where he will fit on the reconstructed coaching staff. Five candidates have been linked to that vacancy, including four in-house candidates in Jake Peetz, Andrew Janocko, Justin Outten, and Mack Brown.

Currently, the Seahawks have Peetz on the staff as a pass game coordinator, with him expected to interview this week for the offensive coordinator vacancy. Janocko will also interview for the vacancy after coaching quarterbacks last season, leaving two possible openings that Stern could help fill if either of those coaches receives Kubiak’s former post as offensive play caller.

Orr, a former NFL linebacker, will reconnect with Macdonald after succeeding him as the defensive coordinator in Baltimore two years ago. In 2022 and 2023, he coached inside linebackers under Macdonald, heavily involved in helping Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen become All-Pro standouts in the middle of the Ravens’ defense. Macdonald tried to hire him as defensive coordinator in Seattle before Baltimore ultimately hired him for the same position.

As defensive play caller for the Ravens, Orr oversaw a top-10 scoring defense in 2024, but the unit regressed significantly during a disappointing 8-9 season in 2025, finishing 18th in the league allowing 23.4 points per game. The franchise fired Harbaugh and Orr was not retained by new head coach Jesse Minter.

By bringing Orr into the mix, the Seahawks will now have a prime candidate in-house to succeed current defensive coordinator Aden Durde, who interviewed for several head coaching openings this cycle and could be a favorite to land one of those positions next year. In terms of building a contingency plan, Macdonald couldn’t have done much better.

It remains to be seen what Orr’s arrival will mean for Kirk Olivadotti, who has been Seattle’s inside linebackers coach each of the past two seasons. Per a team source, the 23-year coaching veteran had contemplated stepping away from the game after the 2025 season, while a different role as a senior assistant could also be in order if he decides he wants to continue coaching in 2026.

Orr likely will be paired with outside linebackers coach Chris Partridge, who has been coaching with Macdonald dating back to their time at Michigan, while assistant linebackers coach Josh Bynes could remain on the staff as well. Orr coached Bynes in his final NFL season with the Ravens in 2022 and is actually three years older than Seattle’s newly-appointed inside linebackers coach.

In additional coaching news, after interviewing for a defensive coordinator opening with the Cardinals, defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach Karl Scott reportedly will stay with the Seahawks in 2026. Widely respected around the league, he could be another coach with a better chance to jump into a coordinator or even head coaching opportunity in 2027.