Mookie Alexander is the Producer/Managing Editor of Field Gulls, and has covered the NFL's Seattle Seahawks since 2017. He primarily focuses on Seahawks news, opinion, game day coverage, and statistical analysis. He also contributes national NFL and track and field coverage for SBNation.com.
The Seattle Seahawks' first reported interview for their vacant offensive coordinator job is getting a second look.
ESPN's Dan Graziano said on Tuesday that Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley will meet in-person with Seattle. The first meeting was virtual, as is standard when meeting with assistant coaches on playoff teams. Detroit is no longer in the postseason, so Fraley is free to interview with whomever for an OC job.
While the Lions might have suffered a devastating Divisional Round upset loss, there's no denying their offense has been electrifying and built behind a dominant offensive line. Fraley, a former NFL offensive lineman who reached a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, has only ever been an assistant or head offensive line coach. He's been with the Lions coaching staff since 2018, preceding head coach Dan Campbell.
As you can imagine, Detroit's star offensive linemen Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell want Hank to stay.
"You refuse to let Hank leave," Ragnow said (via Pride of Detroit). "I haven't played in this league without Hank and I don't plan on doing it. I'll sabotage him, I'll leak stories, whatever it takes."
"Yeah, it's the same as me," Sewell said minutes later. "He's not going nowhere at the end of the day. He's not going nowhere."
Even if Fraley isn't the choice, keep in mind that the Chicago Bears are closing in on hiring Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their new head coach, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn looks to be the main target for the New York Jets. Fraley could just as easily join one of their staffs as offensive coordinator instead of join Seattle. Alternatively, he may remain in Detroit.