The Lions moved rapidly in internally filling their defensive coordinator position. The OC emptiness is likewise quickly to be taken care of, with the group seeking to a well-known candidate.
Broncos move sport coordinator John Morton is touring to Detroit right now, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Lions are working to finalize his rent for the offensive coordinator position. Offered this goes via, it would mark Morton’s second coordinator gig within the NFL and permit him to return to Detroit. He and Dan Campbell labored collectively in 2022.
Morton not too long ago interviewed for the Lions’ OC gig, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Because of this, he turned a reputation to look at carefully on this entrance. Certainly, Schefter mentioned on a Monday “Pat McAfee Present” look that the 55-year-old was prone to get the nod (video link). Offered every part goes based on plan upon arrival within the Motor Metropolis, that can show to be the case.
After a enjoying profession that spanned the NFL, CFL and World League of American Soccer, Morton transitioned to teaching in 1998. His first alternative got here with the Raiders, and he remained with the group for seven years. That stretch was adopted by time with the Chargers, Saints (twice) and 49ers with a spell at USC in between.
Morton’s first OC place within the professional sport got here in 2017 with the Jets. After a poor displaying in his debut New York marketing campaign, he was fired.
Morton then returned to the Raiders and hung out with them as a senior offensive assistant; he held that very same position throughout his one marketing campaign working with Campbell and the Lions. For the previous two years, he labored with Sean Payton on the Broncos’ employees, overseeing the transition to a Bo Nix-led offense this previous marketing campaign.
Denver’s success on that entrance didn’t generate coordinator curiosity from different groups, but it surely has now allowed him to obtain a second OC alternative on the NFL stage.
Expectations will definitely be excessive for Morton in 2025. Ben Johnson oversaw Detroit’s offense for every of the previous three years, and the unit ranked top-five in factors and yards each marketing campaign throughout that span. As soon as once more, Johnson discovered himself as one of many hottest head teaching candidates on this yr’s hiring cycle, one during which Campbell conceded a departure was more likely than before. Certainly, Johnson landed his first HC gig by taking cost of the Bears.
A lot of the Lions’ offensive core will stay intact this offseason, with the likes of Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker and David Montgomery connected to extensions. Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams are on their rookie offers, in the meantime, so a excessive diploma of continuity might be anticipated for subsequent yr.
Given the modifications on the sidelines, nevertheless, Detroit’s skill to stay among the many league’s greatest on offense might be a speaking level underneath Morton.
