The Seattle Seahawks interview Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley

The search for an offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks has begun.

NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported this on Thursday that Seattle plans to interview Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley. League rules stipulate that assistants from teams on a bye (such as the Lions) can interview for vacancies three days after the Week 18 finale through the end of Wild Card weekend. These interviews may last a maximum of three hours and may only take place virtually.

Fraley was not an offensive coordinator in college or in the NFL. He was exclusively an assistant or head offensive coach at the University of San Diego, San Jose State, the Minnesota Vikings, UCLA and the Detroit Lions. The former Philadelphia Eagles center received strong praise for the success of the Lions’ offensive line, led by dominant right tackle Penei Sewell and All-Pro center Frank Ragnow.

Detroit boasts the top-scoring offense in the NFL in 2024 and boasts one of the league’s best rushing attacks between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. With offensive coordinator Ben Johnson likely to become head coach after Detroit’s season ends, it’s no surprise that other teams are looking at Detroit’s coaching staff to see if they can have what they have. Last year, Seattle interviewed Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who is considered an internal candidate to replace Ben Johnson as OC if he leaves.

Of course, Fraley is one of the candidates and he has never been an OC or been called a play. Expect a wide net to be cast for the OC job, similar to what we saw in the Seahawks’ head coaching search before they ultimately hired Mike Macdonald.