Offensive Coordinator Klay Kubiak Press Conference

Offensive Coordinator Klay Kubiak

Press Conference – January 8, 2026

San Francisco 49ers

What are the big challenges in going against a Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense?

“It always starts with the players. They’re super talented on defense, up front, especially. It starts with 98 [Philadelphia Eagles DT Jalen Carter]. He’s one of the most talented interior players that we’ve gone against. But, all their interior players are really strong physical guys, really good edge setters. And then when you look at their linebackers, [Philadelphia Eagles LB Zack] Baun’s about as smart and instinctive as a linebacker gets in this league. And then just really solid in the backend. So, all three levels, they’re talented, extremely well-coached and coordinated. Vic knows how to identify what you’re trying to do and take away those things that your offense is trying to exploit. And that’s why they’re a top defense. We’re going on the road, so the environment is going to make it harder. So, it’s a big challenge.”

When TE George Kittle has gone down this season, TE Jake Tonges has really stepped up and produced, and I feel like a lot of fans have sort of expected “wait until those two guys get on the field together.” That hasn’t happened much this season. Is there a schematic reason for that? Do they not complement each other that well? Or is it something you’re holding in your back pocket?

“I wouldn’t reveal that. No, I mean, you’ve got to go 12 personnel, right? Which we don’t do a ton of to begin with. And so, yeah we’d love to have Jake and George out there as far as when you’re trying to take advantage of passing situations. But, when you really look at when we put 12 out there in first, second down running situations, we haven’t done that a ton this year. We’re definitely more of a 21 team. We’ve done a little bit more 22 when we want to get Jake out there too with George. So, it’s something we do talk about. It comes up, but it hasn’t really fit so far with kind of our personnels and what we’ve been in the majority of the year. But, for sure, you’d love to have Jake and George out there too. It’s something we always talk about and work through as the week goes on.”

What’s the aftermath of a game like Seattle, when you guys had just been on such a roll and then you score three points, which for you guys is pretty much unheard of? Is it shock, anger? Looking at the film, what was that like?

“A little bit of, I mean I wouldn’t say shock. It is an NFL game. We got punched in the mouth. We didn’t play good and we got beat. That’s what happened. But yeah, I think our guys were a little pissed off. I think they were disappointed. We were all disappointed in how we played and how we coached. It wasn’t our best. Anytime that happens, you don’t feel good for a couple days, but then you regroup and, to me, it motivates me and I think it motivates our players to watch the tape. We know we can be better. It wasn’t like we got beat because we can’t do things. We didn’t play good. And our players know they can play better and they know that if we play better and we make a few more plays, we’re in that game in the end and we’ve got a chance to win it. And so, we take that and we let it motivate us and hopefully it leads to better play this week.”

Some of the players have said that they can’t remember having two consecutive, kind of short-week preparations. In hindsight, does that play into not playing as well as you could have against the Seahawks?

“I would never make that excuse. And you know, it’s not an excuse, but it is maybe a reality. We did play two games on two short weeks, and that’s hard. To me, where it showed up, maybe fatigue, whatever, but it showed up. We didn’t get to practice full speed for a couple weeks, which I think maybe does show some of your technique, your fundamentals, maybe some of your timing in the pass game, where that maybe affects it. But, who’s to say? I’m not going to use that as an excuse, but those are all things that are realities when you face short weeks like that.”

Are you saying that in a short week, you can’t have that full Thursday big practice that you typically have?

“Yeah. You’re thinking about your guys and they’re coming off a game a few days ago, and are you going to make them go out there and run full speed and are you going to put them through the normal Thursday practice routine? And we have to make decisions about whether we’re going to prioritize rest and getting our guys legs or prioritize full-speed reps. And last week for sure, it was one where we looked at, our guys need rest, they need to get their legs back. And so, you sacrifice the full-speed practice reps.”

How much more preparation can you get done when you have eight days between games as opposed to six?

“You can get more done. I think a lot of it comes down to is your brain kind of re-energizing a little bit too and getting that extra day to kind of okay, digest the game, wipe it and then get two full days of game planning, to me, is always helpful. You can really study the defense and then come back the next day and just have a real clear mind about what you want to do. When you’re packing it into one day, you’re jamming it all in there. And so, it’s different. It’s better to have more time. But, that’s the NFL. Every team faces that every week. Everyone’s always going to have short weeks. You deal with it and we’ve got to play better. It’s just not an excuse.”

How would you describe how QB Brock Purdy’s arm strength has gradually improved since the elbow surgery? He obviously set the franchise record in yards in 2023, but he said during that year it took him a while to ramp up to full strength. So, from then to now, what have you seen?

“Honestly, I haven’t really noticed that it’s changed. To me, it’s good. It’s where it’s been since training camp. When he had the injury, you noticed there was a progression and to me it was a confidence thing where he was finally letting it rip really as you got into the preseason that year and into the season. As these past two years have gone on, I haven’t noticed it from Brock much. I think earlier in the year with his toe, I think there were some things that affected it, but that was more related to the lower body. But, I think his arms is as strong and he looks as powerful as he’s been in his whole career.”

What was it like to game plan without T Trent Williams going into that Seattle game? Obviously you guys are hoping he can come back, but how difficult would it be to go up against that Eagle’s defense without him there?

“Trent’s an elite player and when you don’t have him and you know you’re not going to have him, you do have to think about, okay, how are we going to cover for that? How are we going to make up for it? And so, you’re always doing things strategically, whether you’re helping a tackle or you’re having protection slide a certain way, whatever. It’s a huge challenge. But that’s again, the reality of the NFL. You lose players, you adjust. But, when Trent is in there, there’s certain things you don’t think about. You just kind of know that he’s good. So, it just gives you more to think about. But, that’s our job. When you lose guys, you have to adjust.”

What makes Vic Fangio so good?

“There’s the fundamentals to his defense that he has always had, and they haven’t changed much. And they’re so well coached in those things. His coverages, to me, they’re the same as they’ve been, but he’s so good at adjusting to modern pass concepts and he knows where the holes are that you’re trying to attack in his defense and he’s going to try to take those away. It’s just, you can tell he’s a coach who studies your scheme, he tries to study and take away the things you do well and he’s locked in on it. And so, to me that’s what he is the best at in this league. It’s not that it’s crazy how the scheme is or anything, it’s when he calls things, it’s how he coaches his players to know what you’re doing and to try to capitalize on what the offense is doing.”

Was there a time when you and your brother decided you wanted to become NFL head coaches and follow your dad?

“I don’t think I ever got into this, either of us, said we’re doing this to be head coaches. That’s something that would happen naturally if you had success and you were a part of winning teams. But, I think being around football your whole life, me personally, I got away from it from a few years and came back to it. I tested the waters in other areas. I think when you’re just around football, you realize you’re passionate about it. You love being around players, you love helping guys, and then you rise and you become whatever you become based on your work and the success you have as a team. And so, I’m happy for him that he’s getting some opportunities too. But, I think when it was all said and done and we were done playing and kind of moved on with our lives, we were like, all right, we need to coach. It’s what we’re kind of born to do.”

How did WR Jacob Cowing look in his first practice since August?

“Good. It was good to see him out there again, running routes, doing scout team. This guy’s got some wheels. He can roll. It’s good to see a guy out there with some speed and see him moving around again. I know it’s been a long year for him, but it was refreshing to see him back on the field and with a smile on his face and working again.”

Is he playing the role of Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith this week?

“That would make sense to me. That’s a question for [defensive coordinator Robert] Saleh. But yeah, that would make sense.”

Do you ever miss teaching high school English?

“Oh, yeah. Every day. I loved teaching. That was a great job. I always say I’d go back and do it again in a heartbeat. I was really passionate about it. A lot of respect for teachers and high school coaches.”