Photo Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
The Detroit Lions fired offensive coordinator John Morton on Tuesday, ending his tenure after just one season as the team attempts to recalibrate following a step back from its 2024 peak.
Morton, 56, replaced Ben Johnson after Johnson departed to become the Chicago Bears’ head coach, but the transition failed to sustain Detroit’s record-setting offensive standard. The Lions finished 9–8 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022, a sharp contrast from their 15-win campaign the year before.
Playcalling Shift Signaled the End
Morton’s authority began to erode midway through the season. After a 27–24 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 2, Detroit dropped to 5–3, and head coach Dan Campbell assumed offensive playcalling duties starting in Week 10. Campbell framed the move as doing what he felt gave the team the best chance to win, though he has not committed to retaining those responsibilities moving forward.
Detroit went 5–3 under Morton, and 4–5 with Campbell calling plays, a stretch marked by inconsistency and offensive line instability. While yardage increased late in the season, overall efficiency declined, and the Lions never regained the rhythm that defined their offense a year earlier.
Offensive Production Fell Short of Expectations
Statistically, Detroit still ranked near the top of the league, averaging 28.3 points per game and finishing fifth in total offense. However, the numbers masked a lack of identity. Big plays carried the unit, while sustained drives and third-down efficiency regressed significantly from 2024, when the Lions led the NFL in scoring at 33.2 points per game.
Quarterback Jared Goff’s performance fluctuated as well. His completion rate and passer rating dropped after the playcalling change, and the run game—once a defining strength—failed to consistently control games despite Pro Bowl talent at the skill positions.
Another Short Tenure Under Campbell
Morton becomes the second offensive coordinator under Campbell to lose playcalling duties and exit after one season, following Anthony Lynn in 2021. A Michigan native, Morton previously worked with the Lions in 2022 as a senior offensive assistant before spending two seasons in Denver as the Broncos’ passing game coordinator.
Following Detroit’s Week 18 win, Campbell openly criticized his own performance, saying he graded himself “a freaking F” for the season. His comments foreshadowed changes, emphasizing the need to restore urgency and competition across the organization.
With Morton gone, the Lions now turn their attention to finding a new offensive leader capable of restoring the efficiency and cohesion that once made Detroit one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams.
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