Mike Macdonald has not yet picked an offensive coordinator, but it has become pretty obvious that he is doing what we expected — looking for a strong running game advocate.

Hank Fraley seemingly had ascended past Klint Kubiak to be their top candidate, but the Hawks reportedly wanted a strong passing game coordinator to go with Fraley, the Lions’ respected offensive line coach. Whatever the hangup was, Fraley ended up staying with Detroit; his wife said on social media that “it was close” between Seattle and Detroit.

The Hawks also reportedly have interviewed the guy we thought would be their top candidate, Green Bay’s Adam Stenavich. He would seem to be a better option than Fraley because he has been more involved in Green Bay’s offensive operation (quarterbacks, game planning, game-day calls).

One area where he helped the Packers was in creating a balanced attack and better play-action game. He does not call plays – Matt LaFleur does that – but, since he was promoted to OC in 2022, the Packers apparently are one of two NFL teams to be top five in total offense, rushing offense, fewest sacks allowed and yards per play. That is what Macdonald is looking for.

The Hawks also might be waiting for Buffalo’s Aaron Kromer. He has had two stints as the Bills’ O-line coach, and his unit ranked No. 4 in the NFL this season (per metrics compiled by Pro Football Network) with the 29^th payroll and no first-round pick (but several Day 2 picks).

Kromer also was Saints interim coach for six games in 2012, when Sean Payton was suspended for Bountygate. Kromer was OC in Chicago in 2013-14, helping the Bears to a top-10 ranking in 2013. And he helped the Rams become the 10^th-best rushing attack from 2018 to 2020, when he was the run-game coordinator for Sean McVay.