REPORT: Hank Fraley emerges as possible replacement for offensive coordinator job

The Seattle Seahawks are revisiting their first reported candidate for the offensive coordinator position.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported Tuesday that Hank Fraley, the Detroit Lions’ offensive line coach, is set to meet with Seattle in person. The initial interview was conducted virtually, as is standard for assistant coaches on playoff teams. Since Detroit’s postseason has ended, Fraley is now free to pursue OC opportunities elsewhere.

Despite the Lions’ disappointing Divisional Round exit, their offense has been a powerhouse, largely due to a dominant offensive line. Fraley, a former NFL offensive lineman who played in a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, has spent his coaching career focusing on offensive lines. He joined the Lions in 2018, before Dan Campbell took over as head coach.

Detroit’s star linemen, Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell, are vocal about wanting Fraley to stay.
“You can’t let Hank leave,” Ragnow said (via Pride of Detroit). “I haven’t played in this league without Hank, and I don’t plan on it. I’ll sabotage him, leak stories, whatever it takes.”
Sewell echoed the sentiment: “He’s not going anywhere. He’s not going anywhere.”

Even if Fraley doesn’t join Seattle, he has other options. The Chicago Bears are reportedly close to hiring Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach, while Detroit’s defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is a top candidate for the New York Jets. Fraley could end up as OC for one of these teams or decide to stay in Detroit.

Other candidates advancing to a second round of interviews with Seattle include New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Minnesota Vikings assistant OC/assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski, who is just 28 years old.