The Detroit Lions have transformed into legitimate Super Bowl contenders with an explosive offense. At the heart of this continued success sits a crucial position: the Lions offensive coordinator. In 2025, after Ben Johnson left to become head coach of the Chicago Bears, the Lions brought in John Morton to maintain momentum while adding fresh perspectives to an already potent attack.
Who Is the Lions Offensive Coordinator?
An NFL offensive coordinator serves as the architect of a team’s scoring strategy, designing plays, calling shots during games, and maximizing player talents. For Detroit, this position carries extra weight in shaping the entire team identity under head coach Dan Campbell’s aggressive philosophy.
John Morton enters the 2025 season as offensive coordinator for Detroit with more than two decades of NFL coaching experience. His appointment marks a new chapter following Johnson’s departure to Chicago. The Lions are the fourth team since 2000 to lose both coordinators to head coaching jobs in the same offseason, joining the Eagles (2023), Bengals (2014) and Chargers (2007), as both offensive coordinator Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn departed.
John Morton’s Background and Experience

Morton served as the Lions’ Senior Offensive Assistant in 2022, and now returns to Detroit as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2025. His coaching career spans multiple decades and organizations, beginning at Western Michigan, his alma mater, before moving to the NFL.
Most recently, Morton spent two seasons (2023-24) with the Denver Broncos where he served as the passing game coordinator. His work in Denver proved exceptional: In 2024, Morton guided the passing game with rookie QB Bo Nix at the helm, who completed 376-for-567 passes (66.3%) for 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, logging the second-most passing touchdowns, third-most completions and eighth-most passing yards by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.
Morton’s Career Timeline:
- 1998-2004: Oakland Raiders (various offensive roles)
- 2006: New Orleans Saints (Passing Game Coordinator)
- 2007-2010: USC (Offensive roles)
- 2015-2016: New Orleans Saints (Wide Receivers Coach)
- 2017: New York Jets (Offensive Coordinator)
- 2018-2021: San Francisco 49ers (Senior Offensive Assistant)
- 2019-2021: Las Vegas/Oakland Raiders (Senior Offensive Assistant)
- 2022: Detroit Lions (Senior Offensive Assistant)
- 2023-2024: Denver Broncos (Passing Game Coordinator)
- 2025: Detroit Lions (Offensive Coordinator)
Partnership with Dan Campbell
The relationship between offensive coordinator and head coach determines team success. Morton and Campbell share compatible visions for physical, aggressive football. Morton said he doesn’t feel anxious about the pressure: “I don’t feel pressure. The good thing is, I was here a few years ago, so that helps a lot. A lot of these players knew who I am, and we’re all still getting to know each other. This is my 27th year; you should always feel pressure, but I don’t feel anxious or anything like that”.
Morton told Fox 2 Detroit that his previous work with Jared Goff will inform how he plans to install the offense: “I think it’s big because it all starts with the quarterback. Just kind of knowing him — and when I was here, I was in the quarterback room. So, I have a feel of what he likes, what he doesn’t. That’s important as a play-caller”.
From Ben Johnson to John Morton

In Johnson’s three seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator (2022-24), Detroit led the NFL in points per game (29.0) — including a league-high 33.2 PPG last season — ranked first in red zone touchdown percentage, second in expected points added, third in offensive efficiency and third in yards per play. His creative play designs made Detroit must-watch television weekly.
Morton’s first stint in Detroit in 2022 saw the Lions finish the season ranked in the top five in numerous NFL offensive categories, including fewest giveaways (15; first), fewest sacks allowed (24; second), total yards (380.0; fourth), red zone efficiency (66.2; fourth) and points per game (26.6; fifth).
Morton’s Offensive Philosophy and Plans
According to Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman, Morton wants the big play to be a big part of Detroit’s offense in 2025. Morton explained his philosophy: “I think you have to have explosive plays. You have to be able to do that. I think there’s a certain amount of explosive plays you need in a game. An explosive, I always think seven or eight plays explosively (per game) is really good”.
Morton defines explosive plays slightly differently than traditional metrics: He views pass plays of 16-to-17+ yards and run plays of 10-to-12+ yards as explosive plays, which aligns well with Detroit’s explosive 2024 season.
Core Offensive Elements:
- Zone running schemes creating natural creases
- Three-level passing attacks stretching defenses vertically
- Motion and shifts identifying defensive coverage pre-snap
- RPO concepts stressing linebackers
- Play-action passing off successful runs
Tight end Sam LaPorta said about Morton: “Johnny Mo, pass game coordinator his whole life,” praising him as having a “brilliant mind”. LaPorta noted continuity: “We promoted Hank Fraley to our run game coordinator. So, fortunate for me, we have the same run game system this year, same verbiage”.
Maximizing Detroit’s Offensive Weapons
The Lions boast one of the NFL’s most talented offensive rosters. Jared Goff has developed into a legitimate franchise quarterback capable of reading defenses and making accurate throws. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown remains one of the league’s most reliable targets, while the running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery provides incredible flexibility.
Running back David Montgomery said of Morton: “He got a different kind of humor. It’s like an old person’s humor. He’s funny. He was here before me, so he knows this offense already. He’s petted this offense. So, it’s not really like a bunch of different stuff, but he’s definitely got his own spin and twist to it”.
The offensive line ranks among football’s most physical units, allowing Morton to commit to the running game and use play-action confidently, giving Goff time to work through progressions.
2025 Season Progress

The Lions line up for their Week 1 opener against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 7, marking Morton’s debut as offensive coordinator. The pressure is on to maintain the elite production established under Johnson.
The Detroit Lions’ offense is humming under new offensive coordinator John Morton. However, in both of their losses to Green Bay and Kansas City, the Lions fell short of their offensive goals, which led to double-digit losses, suggesting areas for improvement as the season progresses.
2025 Season Goals:
- Maintain top-5 scoring offense ranking
- Reduce turnovers and improve ball security
- Improve red zone touchdown conversion
- Develop young offensive players
- Win playoff games and reach Super Bowl
Player and Media Reception
Cornerback Amik Robertson said of defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard: “His energy. You can tell he’s passionate about the game, about us and about his job. You want it no other way when you’ve got a coach like that”, reflecting the positive energy both new coordinators bring.
Sam LaPorta told Jim Rome that there are no questions in the locker room about whether Morton can keep a potent Lions offense among the top in the NFL, saying “It might be a little bit different” but expressing confidence in the new coordinator.
National NFL analysts praised the Lions’ hire, noting Morton represents a smart choice—experienced enough to handle pressure but innovative enough to keep the offense evolving. His work developing Bo Nix in Denver received particular acclaim.
Challenges and Future Potential
Following a successful coordinator creates inherent challenges. Johnson set an impossibly high standard, and fans naturally expect similar results. Morton said: “Despite that success, the Lions failed to reach the Super Bowl. I’m looking to change that”.
Many successful coordinators eventually become head coaches. Morton possesses several qualities making him a potential candidate—his multi-organizational experience provides broad perspective on building winning programs. If Morton maintains elite-level Lions offense while adding innovations, he’ll certainly attract head coaching attention.
Looking Forward
Morton enters 2025 with clear objectives: maintain top-five production, reduce turnovers, improve situational football, and win playoff games. His familiarity with Detroit’s personnel and system provides a strong foundation for success.
His vision includes creating an offensive identity that succeeds regardless of personnel changes. While building around current stars like Goff and St. Brown, the underlying concepts must adapt to roster turnover and injuries that inevitably arise during a long NFL season.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator position represents one of professional football’s most exciting coaching roles. On January 30, 2025, Morton was hired by the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator, replacing Ben Johnson. His extensive career under legendary coaches prepared him for this opportunity, and his relationship with Dan Campbell provides the foundation for continued success.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the pieces are in place for sustained excellence. Morton’s blend of experience, innovation, and familiarity with Detroit’s personnel creates optimism that the Lions’ offense will remain among the NFL’s elite. For Lions fans who’ve waited decades for championship contention, the future looks bright under their new coordinator’s leadership.
FAQs
Who is the Lions’ new offensive coordinator?
John Morton, hired on January 30, 2025, after serving as Denver’s passing game coordinator
Why did Dan Campbell apologize?
The article doesn’t mention Dan Campbell apologizing for anything.
Who is Kevin Patullo offensive coordinator?
The article doesn’t mention Kevin Patullo; it only discusses John Morton as offensive coordinator.
Why did the Lions hire John Morton?
To replace Ben Johnson who left to become head coach of the Chicago Bears, bringing extensive experience including familiarity with the Lions from his 2022 stint and proven success developing rookie QB Bo Nix in Denver