By Moses Joshua 
Detroit isn’t chasing résumés anymore — it’s chasing the right voice to reset a stalled offense.
The Detroit Lions didn’t just fire offensive coordinator John Morton. They tore the lid off their entire hiring philosophy.
In a season-ending press conference that quietly reshaped the team’s offseason outlook, general manager Brad Holmes made it clear the next offensive coordinator will not be boxed into old requirements, old relationships, or old thinking.
“Absolutely,” Holmes said when asked if the search would extend beyond traditional candidates. “We’re looking at everything.”
Those four words were as revealing as anything the Lions have said since their 9–8 season ended.
Breaking Free From the Comfort Zone
For the first time in Dan Campbell’s tenure, Detroit is not restricting its OC search to familiar faces.
Holmes acknowledged that Campbell’s previous coordinators all came from inside his trusted orbit — coaches he already knew and had worked with. That pattern is gone.
This time, the door is wide open.
That explains why Detroit has already been linked to former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. According to NFL Network, the Lions reached out shortly after Miami dismissed him. McDaniel, who went 35–33 in four seasons and built one of the league’s most creative offenses, isn’t a typical “rebound OC” candidate.
But that’s the point.
Whether McDaniel is a serious target or part of a deeper vetting process, the Lions are no longer thinking small.
Why John Morton Had to Go
Holmes was careful not to turn Morton into a scapegoat.
“Johnny did a lot of good things,” Holmes said. “But there’s a time where you just have to make a decision… especially when candidates are becoming available.”
There was no predetermined timeline to move on. The choice followed weeks of internal reflection — and the moment in November when Morton lost play-calling duties told the real story.
That wasn’t a demotion.
It was a warning flare.
Detroit’s offensive direction no longer aligned with where the franchise believed it needed to go.
What Detroit Is Actually Hiring For
The most surprising revelation came when Holmes said the next OC doesn’t even have to be a proven play-caller.
That alone changes the entire search.
Instead, Detroit is hunting for someone who is:
- Detail-oriented
- Able to command a room
- Clear in philosophy and vision
- Comfortable collaborating with Dan Campbell
“I’ve been around previous coaches that have not called plays and did it and had a lot of success,” Holmes said.
That statement explains why former Lions quarterback David Blough is already in the mix. He lacks play-calling experience, but he brings leadership, communication, and trust — qualities Detroit now values as highly as Xs and Os.
Accountability Is the New Culture
This coaching search isn’t happening in a vacuum.
Right tackle Penei Sewell recently admitted his own performance fell short in 2025, saying he sets the tone for the offensive line. That honesty mirrors what Holmes and Campbell are pushing internally.
This is no longer about protecting egos.
It’s about owning failure and fixing it.
The Message Is Clear
The Lions are not panicking — but they are done standing still.
By widening their OC search, welcoming unconventional candidates, and prioritizing leadership over résumés, Detroit is signaling that this hire is foundational to where the franchise goes next.
And in Holmes’ own words, when the right person walks through the door?
“When you know, you know.”
The Lions are about to find out.