By Blessing 
At the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Lions quarterback Jared Goff shared his initial thoughts on the team’s significant coaching change at offensive coordinator. The Detroit Lions are facing notable shifts in their coaching staff, particularly on offense, with Ben Johnson departing and John Morton stepping in as his replacement.
Since the offseason hasn’t officially started, most Lions players haven’t had the chance to comment on these changes. However, Goff, who earned offensive MVP honors during Sunday’s Pro Bowl flag football game, was asked publicly for the first time about the coaching shift.
During an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Amber Theoharis and Kirk Morrison, Goff spoke highly of Johnson’s impact on his career. “He’s a hell of a coach. He’s a guy that’s made a ton of difference in my career,” Goff shared. “I’m obviously a big fan of his. I was joking with him. I wish he didn’t have to be in our division so I didn’t have to try to beat him twice a year, but, no, he’s going to do a great job. Hopefully, not too good, though, with us being in the division together. But, I’ll always be a fan of his, and we’ll always have a good relationship.”
Johnson’s departure left big shoes to fill, but the Lions quickly hired John Morton as their new offensive coordinator. Goff, already familiar with Morton from the 2022 season when he was an assistant on the Lions’ staff, expressed enthusiasm about working with him.
“We were together in 2022, he was an assistant on our staff, and has done it before,” Goff noted. “He’s been a coordinator before, has a lot of experience in our league, been around a lot of great coaches. I’m excited to work with him and see where we can go.”
Morton’s hiring progressed swiftly, and his extensive experience and connections in the league made him an appealing candidate. Given his prior time with the Lions and his background under respected coaches, Morton seems well-positioned to build a solid relationship with Goff, just as Johnson did.
As the Lions prepare for the next season with a revamped coaching staff, Goff’s optimism about the changes hints at a promising future for the team’s offensive strategy. The quarterback’s positive outlook and respect for both Johnson and Morton underscore his role as a steady leader amidst the team’s transitions.