The Detroit Lions have announced that they have severed ties with offensive coordinator John Morton following a single season with the team. The decision was made public on Tuesday evening.
Morton was brought on board last offseason to replace Ben Johnson, who left to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears. However, Morton was unable to replicate the success of his predecessor. After just eight games, Lions head coach Dan Campbell decided to strip Morton of his play-calling responsibilities and took over for the remainder of the season.
While the offense was not ineffective during Morton”s tenure, he faced challenges, including the loss of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow shortly before the season began. Leading up to his final game as play-caller, a narrow 27-24 defeat against the Minnesota Vikings on November 2, the Lions ranked third in points per game and eighth in total offense.
Despite these statistics, the offense”s performance fell short of expectations set in previous years. The unit struggled in critical game situations and often failed to complement the defense effectively. There seemed to be a disconnect within the team, particularly regarding communication, as highlighted by Campbell following the loss to Minnesota.
“We did not handle some of the communication well. Not well enough, where we all need to be on the same page,” Campbell stated after the game.
Morton, however, expressed a different viewpoint, asserting that communication had improved since the Green Bay game. He attributed the struggles to individual players being outperformed rather than systemic issues.
Following Morton”s demotion, Campbell took the reins as play-caller, leading the offense to a remarkable 546 yards and five touchdowns in a commanding 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders. Morton publicly supported the decision, stating, “I fully support it.”
As for Morton”s future with the Lions, it appeared inevitable that a change was coming, even though Campbell had indicated that Morton might reclaim play-calling duties after they spent additional time together.
Now, Campbell faces a crucial task in selecting a new offensive coordinator. His previous success in hiring Johnson contrasts with his less successful appointments of Morton and Anthony Lynn, both of whom had brief tenures.
Despite the challenges faced, the Lions finished tied for fourth in points per game, averaging 28.3, and were fifth in total offense, generating an average of 373.2 yards per game. The team is not looking to overhaul the existing offensive scheme but rather seeks a candidate who can refine it and enhance its effectiveness.
There is also the possibility that Campbell may choose to continue calling plays himself, although he has previously expressed a desire to focus on broader coaching responsibilities. Recently, he mentioned that he is considering this as a viable option moving forward.
The timeline for the search for Morton”s successor remains uncertain. Johnson was hired by the Bears on January 20 last offseason, while Morton was officially named the Lions” offensive coordinator on January 30.
