By Blessing 
Training camp is just around the corner, and the Detroit Lions are entering a new era on offense. With Ben Johnson now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, Detroit turns to a familiar face: John Morton. He’s back for his second stint with the Lions, but this time, he’s calling the shots as offensive coordinator.
Morton may not have the flashiest résumé — his last OC role came back in 2017 with the New York Jets. Since then, he’s held various roles as a senior offensive assistant or passing game coordinator with teams like the Raiders, Broncos, and Lions. Still, while his background might not scream “headline hire,” key players in the locker room seem fully behind him.
Tight end Sam LaPorta, speaking on The Jim Rome Show, showed nothing but confidence in Morton’s leadership.
“It might be a little bit different,” LaPorta said. “Fortunately, we kept a couple of our position coaches. Specifically, our offensive line coach. We promoted Hank Fraley to our run game coordinator. So, fortunate for me, we have the same run game system this year, same verbiage, which, as you can imagine, is a lot. But Johnny Mo, pass game coordinator his whole life. Brilliant mind, I think he’s gonna call the offense great.”
Those last two words — “brilliant mind” — stand out. That’s not just locker room talk. That’s genuine praise, and it says a lot about how players are adjusting to the changes.
One of the biggest comforts for LaPorta and others is that Morton isn’t tearing down what already worked. Fraley’s promotion ensures continuity in the run game, from both a play-calling and language perspective — a big deal for tight ends like LaPorta, who straddle both blocking and receiving responsibilities.
The Lions are clearly trying to evolve without losing the identity they’ve built. And Morton seems like the right kind of hire for that goal. He’s been around top football minds — from Jon Gruden to Sean Payton to Jim Harbaugh — and he brings a style that leans on spacing, timing, and vertical threats. That approach pairs well with Jared Goff’s accuracy, Jahmyr Gibbs’ versatility, and Jameson Williams’ explosiveness. Plus, it gives playmakers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and LaPorta more chances to shine.
Of course, questions remain. Can Morton manage games efficiently? Will he adapt under pressure? Those are answers only the season can provide. But when a team leader like LaPorta publicly throws his support behind the new guy before camp even starts, it’s a promising sign.
The Lions may be shifting gears, but with Morton steering the offense and players buying in early, the road ahead could be smoother than expected.