Seattle, Washington – January 15, 2026
Just days before a highly anticipated playoff clash with the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks made a decision that sent shockwaves through the fan base: the team unilaterally ended its relationship with running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu, a veteran assistant who had played a meaningful role during two consecutive seasons in which Seattle reached the playoffs.
Although Polamalu had been on a leave of absence since December, the timing of the official split — confirmed just days before the postseason — ignited a wave of backlash among Seahawks supporters. For many fans, this wasn’t merely a routine staffing move. It felt like a cold, abrupt separation from a coach who helped build stability in the run game during the franchise’s most recent successful stretch.
Notably, the Seahawks offered no public explanation for the decision. That silence only intensified the frustration. Polamalu had long been regarded as a diligent, disciplined teacher with a strong reputation for player development, and the lack of transparency led many fans to question why the organization chose to part ways without acknowledgment or closure. On social media, the prevailing sentiment was that Seattle opted for a quiet dismissal rather than a respectful goodbye.
During Polamalu’s absence, head coach Mike Macdonald reassigned running backs responsibilities to assistants Justin Outten and Michael Byrne. Team officials maintain that this structure has been operating smoothly and will remain in place through the remainder of the season, including the playoffs.
From a football perspective, the Seahawks insist the move will not affect their preparation for the 49ers. Seattle’s ground game has continued to perform effectively. In the most recent meeting with San Francisco, Ken Walker rushed 16 times for 97 yards, while Zach Charbonnet added 74 yards and a touchdown.
Still, behind the statistics lies a deeply human story. In a brief message shared with those close to him, Polamalu offered words that struck a chord with many Seahawks fans:
“I poured everything I had into this place and into the people here, and when things close quietly, the hardest part isn’t the job — it’s walking away from a group you’ve come to see as family; football teaches you how to accept reality, but it never teaches you how to say goodbye, and even though I’m no longer here, I hope they keep moving forward, because the value of a coach isn’t in a title, but in what he leaves behind.”
As Seattle enjoys the advantage of a bye week and prepares for a do-or-die playoff battle, the decision continues to cast a shadow over the buildup. For many fans, the question now extends beyond whether the Seahawks can defeat the 49ers.
It’s whether the organization is drifting away from the very cultural values it once prided itself on.
In the NFL, wins and losses fade quickly — but how a team treats its people often lasts much longer.
