The Detroit Lions have officially parted ways with offensive coordinator John Morton, a decision announced on Tuesday after a tumultuous season that saw the team underperform against high expectations. Morton, 56, served just one season in the role, during which he was stripped of his play-calling responsibilities eight games into the schedule. Despite the mid-season adjustment, the Lions concluded the season with a 9-8 record, ultimately failing to secure a playoff berth, a significant disappointment for a franchise that had harbored championship aspirations.
Morton's tenure was brief and ultimately unsuccessful in replicating the offensive prowess displayed by the Lions in the preceding year. He stepped into a challenging role, succeeding Ben Johnson, who had orchestrated a historically potent offense in 2024. Under Johnson's leadership, the Lions boasted the top-scoring offense in the NFL, averaging an impressive 33.2 points per game, and ranked second in total offense with 409.5 yards per game. That record-breaking season also saw the team achieve franchise highs in total points scored (564) and regular-season wins (15).
The shift in offensive leadership became evident after a critical 27-24 home defeat to the Minnesota Vikings on November 2, which left the Lions with a 5-3 record. Following this loss, head coach Dan Campbell assumed the offensive play-calling duties for the remainder of the 2025 season. Despite the change, the team's offensive statistics at the close of the season, while still respectable, did not match the previous year's stellar performance. Detroit finished fifth in total offense with 373.2 yards per game, third in passing with 253.1 yards, and 14th in rushing with 120.1 yards per game. They were tied for fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 28.3 points per game alongside the Buffalo Bills.
Before rejoining the Lions, Morton spent two years as the pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos. During the 2024 season in Denver, the Broncos' pass offense ranked 20th in the NFL, averaging 212.4 yards per game, and the team scored an average of 25.0 points per contest. His previous connection with the Lions included a stint in 2022 as a senior offensive assistant. A Michigan native, Morton also worked with Lions quarterback Jared Goff during Ben Johnson's inaugural season as offensive coordinator, establishing a familiarity that ultimately did not translate into sustained success for the team's offense.
The dismissal underscores the high stakes and constant pressure within professional football, where even a single season without meeting objectives can lead to significant personnel changes. The Lions' decision reflects a commitment to achieving their championship goals, indicating that further strategic adjustments are likely as they look to the future and aim to build a more consistent and dominant offensive unit.