In a move that didn’t come as a surprise, the Detroit Lions parted ways with former offensive coordinator John Morton not long after their 2025 campaign officially came to a close after failing to earn a postseason spot.
Morton had his play calling duties taken away from him by head coach Dan Campbell following a disappointing Week 9 loss; Campbell kept the play calling duties for the remainder of the season.
While Morton expressed a desire to remain with the Lions, the organization took a different direction.
However, Morton didn’t have to wait long to find a new gig. He’s now working with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton as a consultant for the organization that he previously worked for as their passing game coordinator in both 2023 and 2024.
Before the start of the season, Payton said he was happy for the opportunity that Morton was getting with the Lions.
“Remember, he was there not too long ago, two-and-a-half, three years ago. Our industry is small, so all of these guys I feel like I’ve hired or got to work with, like Dan (Campbell). So when Dan calls me on ‘Johnny Mo’ and he’s going to be the play caller, I’m like, ‘He’ll be excited.’ I’m excited for him,” Payton said at the time. “The terminology and the communication, all the things that Jared (Goff) knows, the system, that all stays cleanly intact.”
“Johnny is a tremendous worker. He’ll be the last one out, first one in in the morning. I’m happy for not only Johnny, but there are a number of guys this year that just seemed to like multiply,” Payton continued. “It’s good to see some of them here, like (Aaron) Glenn. It’s good to see them in these positions because those guys obviously were loyal and worked extremely hard for me at one point. So it’s good to see.”
The Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills, and will host the New England Patriots in the NFC Championship game. However, starting quarterback Bo Nix will not play after suffering a season-ending ankle injury, meaning they will start backup Jarrett Stidham.
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The Detroit Lions Parted Ways With Former Offensive Coordinator John Morton
Under Morton, the Lions saw declines in both their points per game and yards per game.
He also wasn’t the first Lions offensive coordinator to lose their play calling duties to Campbell, as the same fate befell Anthony Lynn in 2021.
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Dan Campbell Said He Didn’t Know If He’d Continue With Play Calling Duties
Before the Lions hired former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Campbell said that he wasn’t sure whether or not he’d continue the play calling duties.
“I mean, I’m open to anything. I don’t know exactly where I’m at with that yet. I mean, I guess one of the good things if I did do that, you don’t have to worry about somebody else leaving,” Campbell said after Morton was let go. “You don’t have to worry about your playcaller leaving. So, that would be one of the perks of it.
“But listen, I’m going to think through all of that, and I think I really want to do what I feel is best for the team — and that included,” he said. “If I believe that’s what’s best for us and I feel good about it, then I will. If I just feel like, ‘Eh,’ then I won’t do it. I won’t do it.”
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