2. Hank Fraley
Current job: Lions offensive line coach
Fraley reportedly interviewed for the offensive coordinator job with the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, with a report about the interview adding he was doing some ground work to find a passing game coordinator he would pair with.
If Johnson had left for a head coaching job a year ago, one in-particular really, there was some buzz Fraley would have followed him there to be the offensive coordinator. If he doesn't take an offensive coordinator job elsewhere this year, or follow Johnson to wherever he goes if he leaves, Fraley could easily become the Lions' new offensive coordinator.
1. Scottie Montgomery
Current job: Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach
Montgomery has garnered tons of respect in the Lions' building virtually from the moment he arrived to replace Duce Staley as assistant head coach and running backs coach. He has gotten a look to two for offensive coordinator jobs elsewhere, including one weirdly right after the Lions hired him, and head coaching interviews may not be too far behind (none so far in this cycle though).
Montgomery has a uniquely broad coaching resume, starting at his alma mater in 2006.
- Duke-Wide receivers coach (2006-2009)
- Pittsburgh Steelers-Wide receivers coach (2010-2012)
- Duke-Associate head coach/offensive coordinator/passing game/wide receivers coach (2013)
- Duke-Associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2014-2015)
- East Carolina, Head coach (2016-2018)
- Maryland-Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (2019-2020)
- Indianapolis Colts-Running backs coach (2021-2022)
- Detroit Lions-Associate head coach/running backs coach (2023-)
If Johnson leaves, which again is a massive 'if', Montgomery is an automatic top candidate to be promoted to offensive coordinator. In the light of certain context and possibilities outside of him, he's the No. 1 candidate to replace Johnson right now.