DETROIT — The Detroit Lions are hitting the reset button on their offensive leadership. Just two days after defeating former OC Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears in the season finale, the Lions officially fired offensive coordinator John Morton. The move, reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, marks the end of a rocky one-year tenure for the man tasked with filling Johnson’s massive shoes.
Morton’s departure follows a pattern in the Dan Campbell era. Much like former OC Anthony Lynn in 2021, Morton surrendered play-calling duties mid-season only to be relieved of his position once the campaign ended. Despite a 9-8 record, the Lions failed to clinch a postseason berth, leading Campbell to offer a scathing self-assessment.
“I grade myself a freaking F for the job I did with this team in 2025… We’ve got nobody to blame but ourselves.” — Dan Campbell, Lions Head Coach
The decision to move on from Morton stems from a lack of offensive identity that plagued the Lions throughout the second half of the season. While the team started 5-3 under Morton’s play-calling, the metrics shifted significantly once Campbell took the reins in Week 10.
Under Morton, the Lions averaged 28.8 points per game. Under Campbell, that number dropped to 26.9. More concerning was the regression of Pro Bowl quarterback Jared Goff. After the switch, Goff’s completion percentage plummeted by 10 points, and his passer rating fell from a stellar 115.2 to 98.6. Analysts point to a “fading running game” and offensive line injuries as the primary culprits for the late-season stagnation.
| Metric | 2024 Rank | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 1st | 2nd |
| Total Yards Per Game | 2nd | 5th |
| 3rd-Down Percentage | 4th | 20th |
| Points Per Drive | 1st | 7th |
The Lions’ 2024 season saw them lead the league in scoring, but the 2025 iteration felt disjointed. Campbell noted that while the team isn’t “far off,” they need to regain the “hunger” that defined their NFC Championship run two years ago.
The opening at offensive coordinator will be a highly coveted position. With a veteran quarterback in Goff, an elite wideout in Amon-Ra St. Brown, and a dominant (when healthy) offensive line, Detroit offers one of the best “turnkey” offenses in the NFL. Campbell has made it clear: he wants a partner who can bring the “grit” back to the play-sheet and allow him to focus on broader team management.
As the Lions look toward 2026, the mandate is clear: find a play-caller who can translate 393 yards per game into more than 26 points, and ensure the running game remains a “hallmark” rather than a “mild threat.”
