The Detroit Lions are gearing up for another NFC North title run, but this time, they’re doing it with a revamped coaching staff. After losing offensive mastermind Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets, head coach Dan Campbell had some big shoes to fill. One of his key hires? John Morton, the team’s new offensive coordinator.
Morton isn’t a total newcomer to Detroit. He was a senior offensive assistant for the Lions back in 2022, meaning he already has some familiarity with quarterback Jared Goff. That connection could be crucial as Morton takes over play-calling duties. While he spent the last two seasons as Denver’s pass game coordinator under Sean Payton, his last full-time OC gig was in 2017 with the New York Jets.
“I think it’s big because it all starts with the quarterback… Just kind of knowing him – and when I was here, I was in the quarterback room,” Morton said, per NFL.com. “So, I have a feel of what he likes, what he doesn’t. That’s important as a play-caller.”
Morton also had two separate stints in New Orleans under Payton, where he saw firsthand how the offense was tailored around Drew Brees. Expect a similar approach in Detroit, with an emphasis on Goff’s strengths and what has worked for the Lions over the past two seasons.
The challenge for Morton will be maintaining the high bar set by Johnson, whose creative play-calling helped Detroit lead the NFL in scoring last season with 33.2 points per game. While Morton has experience, he hasn’t been a primary play-caller in nearly a decade, so there are some questions about how he’ll handle the role.
Still, the Lions believe in continuity. With Goff entering his fifth year in Detroit and Campbell’s leadership steadying the ship, the organization is confident they can pick up right where they left off. After a dominant 15-2 regular season that ended in a disappointing playoff loss to Washington, the Lions are looking for redemption—and perhaps that elusive deep postseason run.
A lot will depend on health, key free agent acquisitions, and how well the team adapts to its new coaching staff. But if Morton can keep Detroit’s high-powered offense rolling, the Lions should once again be a force in the NFC North—and maybe beyond.
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