By Sunday 
A New Era Without Upheaval
The Detroit Lions are stepping into a fresh offensive chapter—and it’s already getting nods of approval from the locker room.
With former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson off to coach the Bears, many wondered how the Lions would adapt. The answer came quietly but confidently, with the promotion of John Morton, a seasoned passing game coordinator now taking the wheel as OC.
While Morton doesn’t carry the buzz of a household name, he might just be the perfect fit. And no one seems more confident in that than tight end Sam LaPorta, who recently told The Jim Rome Show exactly what he thinks of Detroit’s new playcaller.
“Brilliant mind, I think he’s gonna call the offense great,” LaPorta said, praising Morton for his vision and composure.
A Smooth Handoff, Not a Hard Reset
One of the biggest questions surrounding Morton’s takeover was whether the Lions would rip up their offensive blueprint and start over. Spoiler: they won’t.
Morton’s taking over without blowing things up, and that’s by design. LaPorta noted that key position coaches like Hank Fraley (now run game coordinator) remain in place. That means the run game terminology stays the same, and for a tight end asked to block as much as he catches passes, that’s no small thing.
“Fortunately, we kept a couple of our position coaches… So, fortunate for me, we have the same run game system this year, same verbiage,” LaPorta said.
What Morton Brings to the Table
John Morton may not have a glittering OC résumé—his last stint calling plays came in 2017 with the Jets—but he’s soaked in offensive schemes from some of the best: Jon Gruden, Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh. He’s a film room junkie. A spacing savant. The type of guy who thrives on timing and execution.
It’s no stretch to say Morton’s preferences could fit hand-in-glove with Detroit’s core:
- Jared Goff’s precision
- Jahmyr Gibbs’ burst
- Jameson Williams’ vertical threat
- LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown’s mismatch potential
The Vibe Inside the Building? Positive
Transitioning from a fan-favorite OC like Ben Johnson was never going to be seamless. But the early signs from Allen Park are encouraging. The scheme stays familiar. The voices in the room haven’t all changed. And most importantly, the players believe.
If you’re looking for red flags, you won’t find them from LaPorta. The dude’s buying in—and that should carry weight.
Because when one of your smartest, most versatile offensive weapons is publicly hyping the new guy? That’s not just a soundbite. That’s trust. And in the NFL, trust in July can turn into touchdowns in September.