Earlier this season, Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye took a lot of heat from fans and media alike for his recruiting misses and perceived lack of depth built for this season.
Following Ohio State’s national championship run, Frye is now a candidate to be an NFL offensive line coach following his work molding the Buckeyes’ offensive line into a championship-caliber unit despite season-ending injuries to Josh Simmons and Seth McLaughlin.
Per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Frye is interviewing for the Chicago Bears' vacant offensive line coach opening under new head coach Ben Johnson. Chicago is also interviewing Tulane offensive line coach Dan Roushar (who was a New Orleans Saints assistant coach for 10 seasons) and has been connected to Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph.
Frye earned $1 million from OSU this season. While recruiting has been one of his weaknesses in Columbus, that wouldn't impact him at the pro level, especially considering he's proven to be a strong developer of linemen. Under Frye's tutelage, Paris Johnson Jr. was drafted in the first round in 2023 while Simmons and Donovan Jackson will both likely be first- or second-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Frye also developed McLaughlin into a Rimington Trophy winner in his one year with the Buckeyes after transferring from Alabama.
