The Detroit Lions are entering the 2025 season with sky-high expectations and a clear target on their backs, but there’s no avoiding the fact that their offense will look a bit different this year. The departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson—who took the head coaching job with the rival Chicago Bears—left a major hole in Detroit’s coaching staff, and it’s a move that only adds fuel to one of the NFL’s most historic rivalries.
But if you ask Dan Campbell, there’s no panic in Motown. Speaking at the NFL’s annual meetings, the Lions’ head coach made it clear: the identity of Detroit’s offense isn’t tied to one coach, it’s tied to the players who power it. “This is a Detroit Lion offense, is what it is,” Campbell said, rattling off names like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery. “That’s what we are.”
To replace Johnson, Campbell promoted John Morton, a veteran coach with stints under Sean Payton, Jon Gruden, Pete Carroll, Jim Harbaugh, and Norv Turner. Morton’s familiarity with the system—as a senior offensive assistant in 2022 when Johnson implemented his scheme—makes him a natural fit to carry the torch. He spent the last two seasons with the Broncos as their passing game coordinator under Payton, adding even more experience to his résumé.
Campbell sees Morton’s arrival as an opportunity for the offense, not a setback. He’s confident Morton can help elevate Jared Goff’s game, especially after a 2024 season where Goff didn’t just execute the offense—he began to take ownership of it. According to Campbell, Goff grew more comfortable making adjustments on the fly and bringing ideas to the coaches, something they hope to build on in 2025.
Yes, losing Johnson stings. But Campbell isn’t dwelling on it. “The players are the ones who make it what it is,” he said. “That’s our playbook—those guys.”
The Lions open training camp on July 27, and all eyes will be on how this revamped offense looks under Morton’s guidance. If Campbell’s confidence is any indication, Detroit believes it hasn’t skipped a beat.
Campbell Sends Message: Lions Offense Must Keep Rolling Without Johnson
