By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s offense roars back to life after Dan Campbell takes over play-calling duties, leaving John Morton’s future hanging by a thread.
The Detroit Lions looked like a completely different team on Sunday — aggressive, confident, and, most importantly, explosive. But beneath the roar of a 44-point offensive eruption was a clear message from the locker room: John Morton’s system wasn’t cutting it.
After weeks of sputtering drives and mounting frustration, head coach Dan Campbell made a bold midseason adjustment — stripping Morton of play-calling responsibilities after just nine games. The result was immediate and emphatic, as the Lions carved up the Washington Commanders’ defense in a performance that showcased both relief and renewed belief in Campbell’s leadership.
A New Voice, a New Energy
Quarterback Jared Goff, who put on a show with 320 passing yards and three touchdowns, didn’t mince words when praising his head coach’s decision.
“Dan Campbell did a great job getting plays in, switching up tempo, keeping up with personnel,” Goff told The Detroit News’ Nolan Bianchi.
Goff’s crisp execution and comfort in the pocket told the story of a quarterback liberated. His 25 completions on 33 attempts marked one of his sharpest outings of the season, and his 300-yard mark — the first since Week 2 — underscored just how much more fluid the offense looked under Campbell’s command.
For a team that had averaged just under 250 passing yards per game, Sunday’s explosion was more than a statistical spike. It was a statement — that Campbell’s version of the offense felt faster, freer, and more in tune with his players’ instincts.
Players Rally Behind Their Head Coach
Wide receiver Jameson Williams, who finally broke out with 119 yards and a touchdown, echoed Goff’s enthusiasm.
“Shout-out to Dan and how he controlled the game,” Williams said, via NFL.com. “It was kind of funny seeing him with the glasses. … It’s a different look, for sure.”
For Williams, who had struggled to find rhythm in recent weeks, the change felt like a fresh start. His chemistry with Goff seemed revitalized, and his postgame grin said as much as his words did.
Meanwhile, Campbell himself took the high road when addressing Morton’s situation, offering respect rather than resentment.
“Listen, John Morton’s all team. That’s all he cares about. He just wants to win,” Campbell said, per ESPN. “He’s a grinder, he’s a worker, and he just tries to help and give you anything you can possibly need for the game.”
Despite those words, the subtext was impossible to ignore — Morton’s offense had stalled, and the team’s energy clearly shifted once Campbell stepped back into the play-caller’s role.
Numbers Don’t Lie
The Lions’ offensive transformation was stark. Detroit piled up 546 total yards, scored on eight drives, and never punted once. They also converted 50% on third down and were perfect on fourth. Compared to their previous two games — which combined for only 48 total points — the 44-point barrage felt like an awakening.
Even the underlying analytics told a clear story. The Lions averaged 8.03 yards per play against Washington — a massive leap from the 4.92 they managed a week earlier. It was their second-highest mark of the season, trailing only their 52-point shootout with Chicago back in Week 2.
For a team chasing postseason aspirations, the timing couldn’t have been better. But for Morton, it couldn’t have been worse.
The Writing on the Wall
This isn’t the first time Campbell has made a decisive midseason shift. Back in 2021, he did the same with Anthony Lynn — and Lynn never returned as play-caller. History now seems poised to repeat itself.
The locker room’s response, the offensive fireworks, and the subtle tone of players’ postgame remarks all point to the same conclusion: John Morton’s chapter in Detroit may be closing sooner rather than later.
Campbell, as always, will frame the move as what’s best for the team. But for those watching closely, Sunday’s performance wasn’t just a victory on the scoreboard — it was a loud, unmistakable vote of confidence in the man now calling the plays.