Ben Johnson has opted to be the next Head Coach of the Chicago Bears. It’s the big domino to fall in the coaching cycle for 2025. He’s reportedly attempting to emulate Dan Campbell by building a loaded staff, including hiring Dennis Allen to be his defensive coordinator.
The Seahawks landed a good, young Head Coach themselves a year ago in Mike Macdonald. However, this is why Johnson was the guy I wanted in Seattle. Now there’s no danger of Chicago losing their offensive mastermind to another team. There’s typically a good, defensive-minded former Head Coach available to pair with him. Allen is not likely to get a third try as the leader of a team. Thus, even if he succeeds in Chicago, he’s not likely to be poached.
Meanwhile, the offensive coordinator options to pair with a defensive mind like Macdonald are extremely thin. There are hardly any suitably experienced candidates. Two of the names hotly linked to the Seahawks have never called plays before and one of them is 28-years-old.
Macdonald’s long-term success in Seattle will be predicated on not only finding the right man to run his offense — but also being able to replace that individual if/when he is poached to be a Head Coach somewhere else. John Harbaugh is on his seventh offensive coordinator in Baltimore. None have lasted longer than his first hire, Cam Cameron, who was around for five seasons. That means he’s had six different coordinators between 2012 and 2024.
I’m not complaining about Seattle’s choice of Macdonald. By all accounts it seems Johnson wasn’t ready or interested in leaving the Lions 12 months ago. I’ve no idea whether he’ll succeed in Chicago either. However, his offense in Detroit was exciting and massively productive. If he builds a good staff, he’ll be in a strong position. He has a former #1 overall pick at quarterback to work with, operating on a rookie contract. I’m a little bit envious of the Bears. There will be excitement and anticipation within that fanbase today, the kind of which I don’t think we’ve had in Seattle for some time.
This appointment could directly impact the Seahawks. Who does Ben Johnson appoint as his offensive coordinator? It would make sense to give Hank Fraley the job if he wants it. The Bears need an O-line overhaul. It would be a promotion for Fraley without the pressure of play-calling duties. Perhaps Johnson could offer some shared responsibility on play-calling? It’s also possible the Lions themselves could promote Fraley — although his name wasn’t mentioned by Adam Schefter as an option earlier — lending to the thought that he may depart.
There’s been no word today on the Seahawks arranging an in-person meeting with Fraley, which may also suggest he’s looking elsewhere with a destination like Chicago already on the cards.
Hiring Fraley wouldn’t be a slam dunk appointment though. The thought is nice because of his O-line background. He comes across as a great communicator during interviews. Yet it was reported by Albert Breer that he acknowledged he would need to find a passing game coordinator to work with. If he joins Johnson, there’s no need for that. If the Seahawks want him and convince to come to Seattle, he’ll be a gamble of sorts. Calling plays is important.
Johnson going to Chicago also has implications for Las Vegas. Tom Brady reportedly made a big pitch to bring him to the Raiders. What’s Plan B? Could it be Pete Carroll? If it is, would he be minded to contact the Seahawks about a possible reunion with Geno Smith? Carroll was a big supporter of Smith’s, more so (it always seemed) than John Schneider.
It also means Lance Newmark is less likely to be Las Vegas’ next GM. Interestingly today he interviewed with the Jets. Newmark spent a long time in Detroit before going to Washington this year. Connecting the dots, it seems like New York is honing in on a Newmark and Aaron Glenn combo. That could push the Saints towards Mike McCarthy — which in turn makes it less likely that Klint Kubiak would remain in New Orleans.
If it comes down to Kubiak and Grant Udinski, that would be an interesting decision. Kubiak is more experienced, has a strong background with his dad and Kyle Shanahan, plus he has connections in the league. Rick Dennison and John Benton could join him in Seattle. Both are very experienced individuals when it comes to working with offensive linemen.
Udinski is the wild card. He might have to work with the existing staff in Seattle because presumably, he doesn’t have a book of contacts considering his inexperience. If they go in that direction they clearly believe he has something special to offer. The unknown would be exciting for fans because you would be dreaming of the next Sean McVay. In reality, though, there’s an equal chance he’d be the next Ryan Grubb — a NFL coordinator novice when perhaps experience was required.
I like the search the Seahawks have conducted at offensive coordinator and the names connected. But the Bears appointing Johnson — and the momentum that will follow him to Chicago — doesn’t half remind you that the Seahawks are stuck in a difficult position. They’re about to appoint a coordinator on hope rather than expectation. They don’t have a long-term, dynamic, bright future at quarterback. They’ve got to fix the offensive line.
Seattle’s situation is far beyond anything like the NFL’s bottom-dwellers. They’re not in a particularly exciting position, though. There’s not a lot to get the juices flowing for the future. They consistently live on the fringes of the last playoff spot in the NFC. All but three teams have made it to the NFC Championship game since Seattle’s last appearance during the 2014 season — and one of those three teams are the Bears, carrying the NFL’s optimism and hype for today at least.
Other teams like the Eagles have done a better job transitioning from different eras, with teams closer to home (the Rams) moving on from their legendary stars with unbelievable skill in the draft. The Commanders, in one off-season, have achieved more than the Seahawks in several years of resetting.
Like I said a few weeks ago, the franchise needs a jolt. Drafting a couple of offensive linemen and running things back just with a new offensive coordinator isn’t likely, alone, to shift the Seahawks into a position where they can end their run of not playing on Championship weekend.
