Forgotten Seahawks player suddenly in line for major role under new OC Brian Fleury

When the Seattle Seahawks hired Brian Fleury as their new offensive coordinator, most of the attention centered on scheme changes, run-pass balance and how the young stars would adapt. Few expected that one of the biggest beneficiaries of the transition might be a player many fans barely mention anymore.

Tight end Eric Saubert, largely viewed as a depth piece in recent seasons, could suddenly find himself playing a far more significant role in Seattle’s offensive evolution. Not necessarily in the box score — but in influence.

Fleury arrives from San Francisco with a reputation for structure, communication and detail. Installing a new system takes more than diagrams on a whiteboard. It requires trust inside the locker room. Saubert, who previously worked closely with Fleury, may become the bridge between coach and roster.

“When you bring in a new system, players need someone who understands both sides,” a team source said. “Eric has been in it. He knows what Fleury expects.”

Saubert’s statistical résumé won’t overwhelm anyone. Since entering the league, he has primarily served as a rotational tight end and special teams contributor. With A.J. Barner and rising second-year talent Elijah Arroyo projected ahead of him, his snap count in traditional sets could remain limited.

But Fleury’s offense relies heavily on alignment discipline, motion adjustments and precise blocking angles — areas where veteran experience can matter as much as athletic upside. Saubert’s familiarity with the terminology and philosophy could accelerate the transition for the entire unit.

There’s also a leadership element. At 32, Saubert has navigated multiple systems across several franchises. That perspective can steady a locker room during schematic change. Sometimes, a player’s value isn’t measured in receptions, but in communication and preparation.

“I just want to help this offense grow,” Saubert said quietly during offseason workouts. “Whatever that role looks like.”

Seattle’s coaching staff understands that cultural buy-in often determines how quickly a new coordinator succeeds. If Saubert becomes an on-field extension of Fleury — aligning tight ends, clarifying protections and reinforcing details between drives — his impact could stretch far beyond TE3.

In a league obsessed with headline names, it’s easy to overlook the connective tissue that holds an offense together. Under Brian Fleury, the Seahawks may have already found that piece.

And it might be the player nobody was talking about.