Lions hiring John Morton as offensive coordinator replacing Ben Johnson

On By Littum

The Detroit Lions have found their replacement for Ben Johnson.

John Morton has been hired to become Detroit’s new offensive coordinator. Morton who was senior offensive assistant with Lions By 2022 had been the passing gaming coordinator for the Denver Broncos in the past two seasons.

Morton, 55, has been an offensive coordinator twice before in his career, once in the NFL and once at the college level. He led southern California’s violation of 2009-10 and helped the Trojans an average of 410 yards and 28.7 points per year. Fight over 26 competitions.

During his lonely season as offensive coordinator of the New York Jets in 2017, Morton’s unit ranked 28 on Yards (305.3) and 24. In points (18.6). Quarterback Josh McCown, 38 years old, was New York’s leading passerby. Recipients Robbie chose, and Jermaine Kearse and the tight end Austin Seferian-Nønkins were the team’s top reception options and driving Bilal Powell back was No. 1 Rusher.

McCown (2,926), Kearse (810), Seferian-Nønkins (357) and Powell (772) had all Career High Yardage brands in 2017. Choose 941 receiving yards was the second largest of his career, with the 2020 campaign (1,096) His only season and more.

Morton spent three seasons as a senior offensive consultant at Raiders after he was fired by Jets. He had the same position with Lions until he was hired by Broncos, who ranked 20. Fight this season with Rookie Bo Nix under Center.

NIX finished 66.3% of his throws in 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 cuts and had a passing success rate of 43.7%, which ranked 28. season before losing to the Buffalo bills in the Wild-Card round.

“Johnny is a superstar now, and there are a number of things he did for us last year, which are things we have held,” said head coach Dan Campbell about Morton in 2023, after the former consultant traveled to Broncos.

Morton, a native from Auburn Hills, who trained from Avondale High School, was a non -drawn recipient out of western Michigan, who never appeared in an NFL game, but spent time with Raiders, Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars. He became an offensive assistant at Raiders in 1998 and remained with the team until 2004 and worked his way up to tight ends coach.

The University of San Diego hired Morton in 2005 to be its passing gaming coordinator and broad recipients trainers. He has also had various offensive roles with New Orleans Saints – he worked with Campbell in 2016 – and San Francisco 49ers beyond Jets. All in all, he has over two decades of coaching experience.

Morton’s rent means the lions did not go with an internal candidate to replace Johnson who left to be the head coach of Chicago Bears. Lions chose an internal opportunity to fill the void left by Aaron Glenn on defensive coordinator, and landed on former linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard.

Presumed internal candidates for the former vacant offensive coordinator position included continuous backs coach and assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery, offensive line trainer Hank Fraley and passing gaming coordinator Tanner Engstrand.

Most people figured Detroit would go with a well -known face considering Campbell’s desire not to revise the offense.

Still, fans shouldn’t expect too many changes. Campbell has had his fingerprints all over the offense, even with Johnson, and Lions led the league in points scored in 2024. Campbell said earlier this month he would have input from Quarterback Jared Goff when the team searched for a replacement for replacement Johnson.

“Will it be the ultimate decision?” Campbell said about Goff’s opinion. “No, it’s not. But what he says will mean a lot to me.”

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