Commanders Coach Search: Ben Johnson Has Offensive Coordinator Set?

With reports that Washington Commanders coaching candidate Ben Johnson could already have his offensive coordinator lined up his attractiveness has only increased.

If popular opinion prevails then the Washington Commanders are going to be hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach following the firing of Ron Rivera and hiring of new general manager Adam Peters. 

Once that hire is made official the next question - well, one of them - will be the formation of the rest of the Commanders’ coaching staff through possibly retaining some of the current members and the hiring of new ones. 

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But Washington may solve two hires in one move if NFL insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Tom Pelissero are correct in reporting Johnson may already have his offensive coordinator sorted out.

“It is very possible that the Detroit Lions go into next season, whenever this season ends, needing two new coordinators,” Rapoport said while Pelissero added, “Also worth noting Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley could end up following Johnson wherever he goes as Johnson’s offensive coordinator.”

Both Johnson and Fraley have been part of the Dan Campbell led coaching staff in Detroit that has adopted a hard-nosed approach to the game and that mentality has clearly made its way to the roster and onto the field.

However, both men were also on the Lions staff before Campbell arrived with Fraley arriving in 2018 while Johnson joined on in 2020.

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With four seasons working together the two coaches know each other well and if Johnson has faith in Fraley’s ability to help install his offense while being an always important successful offensive line coach the duo could provide a real boost to the Commanders offensive ability in the near future.

It’s also worth noting that Fraley is also a local guy, hailing from Gaithersburg, Maryland.