Detroit Lions reportedly targeting John Morton for offensive coordinator role

The Detroit Lions are reportedly targeting John Morton for their offensive coordinator position, signaling a potential shift in their offensive philosophy. Morton, a veteran coach with extensive experience at the NFL and college levels, could be a key figure in helping to refine the Lions’ offensive scheme. Let’s explore why Morton’s name has emerged as a strong candidate and how he could impact the Lions’ offense in the 2025 season.

### Background on John Morton’s Coaching Career

John Morton has had a diverse and dynamic coaching career, marked by various stints across different teams and offensive systems. His most notable experience includes time as an offensive coordinator with the New York Jets (2015–2016), and a history of coaching wide receivers and quarterbacks at multiple levels. Morton has worked with both college and NFL teams, showing his versatility in adapting to different schemes and player types. His experience spans both successful and challenging seasons, which gives him a unique perspective on building a functional and adaptable offense.

Morton’s career includes coaching at prestigious programs such as USC, where he helped develop NFL-caliber talent, as well as in the NFL with teams like the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. He has earned respect for his ability to foster communication and rapport with players, as well as his willingness to adjust schemes depending on the strengths of his personnel.

His time in New York as the Jets’ offensive coordinator, while not particularly memorable in terms of overall team success, allowed Morton to showcase his offensive playcalling skills. He helped develop quarterback Geno Smith and was instrumental in maximizing the potential of the team’s offensive weapons, though the Jets struggled with consistency.

After his tenure with the Jets, Morton bounced between various coaching roles, refining his approach to offense and continuing to develop his reputation as a solid coach capable of working with both seasoned NFL veterans and developing young talent.

### Detroit Lions’ Offensive Needs

The Detroit Lions, under head coach Dan Campbell, have been in the midst of a rebuild, but their offense has shown flashes of promise in recent seasons. Led by young quarterback Jared Goff, the Lions’ offense has been productive at times, though they’ve yet to truly break through as an elite unit. Much of the team’s offensive success has been attributed to the scheme devised by former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but Johnson departed for a head coaching opportunity with another team.

As the Lions look to replace Johnson, they will need to find someone who can build upon the offensive infrastructure already in place while also adapting to the evolving needs of the team. The Lions possess a talented offense with a solid quarterback in Goff, an emerging star in running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and standout wide receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown. Still, the team has struggled with consistency in key moments, and there is potential for further growth.

One area the Lions could use improvement in is their deep passing game. Despite Goff’s resurgence in recent seasons, Detroit has occasionally struggled to push the ball downfield and convert in critical situations. Morton, with his experience as a quarterbacks coach, could help Goff become more efficient in terms of pushing the ball vertically, developing a more balanced offensive attack that can stretch defenses more effectively.

### What John Morton Could Bring to Detroit

If Morton is indeed hired as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, there are several aspects of his coaching style that could fit well with the team’s current trajectory.

1. **Experience with Quarterbacks**: Morton has extensive experience coaching quarterbacks, both in the NFL and college. This is particularly valuable for a team like the Lions, who have a seasoned quarterback in Jared Goff but still face questions about his long-term potential in a system that can unlock his best play. Morton has worked with quarterbacks like Geno Smith and Drew Brees, helping to maximize their strengths. His ability to develop Goff’s skillset could be instrumental in elevating the Lions’ passing game.

2. **Wide Receiver Development**: Morton has also coached wide receivers at a high level, including during his time at USC, where he helped develop top-tier talent. The Lions boast a talented receiving corps, led by Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Morton’s experience in developing wideouts could help further unlock their potential. He has a history of working with diverse receiving corps, from the talented groups he coached at USC to the more modest units he worked with in New York and New Orleans.

3. **Commitment to Balance**: One of Morton’s strengths is his ability to run a balanced offense. His time with the Saints, known for its diverse offensive attack, showed his ability to work both the passing and running game in tandem. This is something the Lions could benefit from, as their offense, though explosive at times, has lacked a consistent commitment to establishing the run. If Morton can develop a more well-rounded attack, the Lions could become more difficult to defend against, which could be especially important in high-stakes games and in tough divisional matchups.

4. **Creativity in Playcalling**: Morton is known for his creative playcalling. His offensive schemes tend to emphasize quick strikes and creating mismatches, both of which are useful in today’s fast-paced NFL. He has the ability to call plays that utilize his players’ skill sets to the fullest, creating opportunities for big plays or high-efficiency drives. With playmakers like St. Brown and Gibbs, Morton could help design offensive schemes that exploit the defense’s weaknesses and put pressure on opposing coordinators.

5. **Ability to Adapt**: Morton’s time in the NFL and college football has shown that he’s adaptable, able to adjust to different situations and player types. He has coached in a variety of offensive systems, from the Saints’ high-powered attack to more traditional schemes in New York. This flexibility is important for a Lions team that will need to remain dynamic, particularly as they face different defensive schemes across their NFC North division rivals.

### Challenges and Questions

While Morton certainly brings a wealth of experience, there are also questions about his ability to lead an offense on a consistent basis. His time as the Jets’ offensive coordinator wasn’t particularly successful, and some critics argue that his inability to develop a high-powered offense in New York could be a red flag. However, it’s worth noting that the Jets were in a challenging position with a lack of stability at quarterback, and Morton did not have the same caliber of talent around him that the Lions do.

Another potential challenge for Morton is the need to integrate with Dan Campbell’s overall vision for the team. Campbell is a former player with a strong identity as a coach who values toughness, ball control, and physicality. Morton’s ability to mesh with Campbell’s philosophy while still adding his own offensive flair will be crucial. If they can find common ground, the Lions’ offense could benefit greatly from Morton’s expertise.

### Conclusion

John Morton’s potential hiring as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator is an intriguing prospect. With his extensive coaching background, particularly in developing quarterbacks and working with wide receivers, Morton has the tools to help take the Lions’ offense to the next level. His ability to create a balanced, creative offensive system could help build on the team’s current strengths and address areas of inconsistency. While there are still questions about his ability to lead a high-level offense, Morton’s reputation and experience suggest that he could help shape the Lions into a more potent, well-rounded offensive unit moving forward.