By Sunday 
John Morton: A Familiar Name in Detroit
The Detroit Lions are moving quickly to find a replacement for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who departed for a head coaching opportunity. One name emerging as a leading candidate is John Morton, a coach with deep ties to the Lions and significant NFL experience.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Morton recently interviewed with head coach Dan Campbell for the vacant role. This isn’t Morton’s first interaction with the Lions’ leadership, as he previously served as a senior offensive assistant with the team in 2022 and interviewed for the offensive coordinator job in 2021.
Dan Campbell’s Praise for Morton
Head coach Dan Campbell has previously spoken highly of Morton’s contributions during his time in Detroit. Reflecting on Morton’s influence on the offense, Campbell once said, “John Morton, man, Johnny’s a superstar now, and there’s a number of things that he did for us last year that are things that we’ve kept. And I really feel like that helped Tanner [Engstrand] as well. And he took a lot of that, and he learned from that, and he’s grown from that.”
This endorsement highlights Morton’s impact on the Lions’ offensive philosophy, making him a logical choice to ensure continuity in the team’s approach.
A Wealth of NFL Experience
Morton’s resume spans decades in the NFL, dating back to 1998 when he started as an offensive assistant with the Oakland Raiders. He has since held notable positions, including:
New Orleans Saints (2006, 2015-2016): Passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, overlapping with Campbell for two seasons.
San Francisco 49ers (2011-2014): Wide receivers coach.
New York Jets (2017): Offensive coordinator.
Most recently, Morton has been serving as the passing game coordinator for the Denver Broncos under Sean Payton. His connection with Campbell during their time in New Orleans further strengthens his candidacy.
Maintaining Offensive Continuity
Campbell has expressed a desire to preserve the Lions’ offensive identity despite the coordinator change. Morton’s familiarity with the team and his alignment with Campbell’s vision make him a strong candidate to ensure a smooth transition.
An Obvious Choice for the Lions
With Morton’s extensive NFL background, prior experience in Detroit, and proven ability to develop offensive schemes, he stands out as a natural successor to Ben Johnson. As the Lions continue their search, it’s clear Morton offers the experience and familiarity needed to guide the offense into the next chapter.