It was supposed to be the seamless transition of the decade. When John Morton walked back into the Detroit Lions facility in early 2025, the vibe was basically, "We've got this." He wasn't some random hire off the street; he was the guy Dan Campbell called a "superstar" after his 2022 stint as a senior assistant.
But football is a cruel business. By January 6, 2026, the experiment was officially over. The Detroit Lions fired Morton after just one season as offensive coordinator.
Honestly, it’s one of the weirdest one-and-done stories in recent NFL history because, on paper, the numbers weren't even that bad. They finished as a top-five unit in yards. Yet, if you watched the games, you saw the cracks long before the pink slip arrived.
Why John Morton and the Detroit Lions hit a wall
The Lions were coming off a 2024 season where Ben Johnson had turned Jared Goff into a literal MVP finalist. When Johnson left for the Chicago Bears head coaching gig, Campbell didn't want to reinvent the wheel. He wanted continuity. He hired Morton specifically because Morton helped build the "Goff-centric" system back in 2022.
The plan? Keep the terminology, keep the rhythm, and keep winning. It didn't work.
By Week 10, the "rhythm" was so out of sync that Dan Campbell did something drastic. He snatched the play-calling sheet right out of Morton's hands during the Washington Commanders game. You've gotta understand how massive that is. When a head coach takes over play-calling in the middle of a season, the coordinator is essentially a "dead man walking."
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The Jameson Williams vanishing act
One of the biggest gripes fans had—and clearly Campbell had too—was how the offense handled Jameson Williams.
- In October, Morton literally told reporters he "failed" Williams.
- There were games where one of the most explosive receivers in the league had fewer than 10 yards.
- The vertical threat that made the 2024 Lions so terrifying felt sort of... muted.
It wasn't just Williams, though. The run game, which is the heartbeat of Campbell’s "kneecap-biting" philosophy, went from elite to inconsistent. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs still had their moments, but the "well-oiled machine" started clanking.
The Offensive Line: The silent killer of the 2025 season
Look, we can't pin everything on Morton. That’s just not fair.
In 2025, the Lions' offensive line—usually the best in the NFL—got absolutely ravaged by the injury bug. Every single starter except for Ratledge missed time. When your O-line is a revolving door of backups, no amount of "offensive genius" can save you.
Goff’s numbers took a nosedive because of it.
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- His completion percentage dropped nearly 10%.
- His passer rating tanked from a 115.2 to a 98.6.
- He was running for his life half the time.
Under Morton, the Lions went 5-3. Not terrible, right? But the vibe was off. After Campbell took over the plays, they went 4-5 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022. It was a slow-motion car crash that ended in a 9-8 record and a lot of "what ifs."
A career built on "The Grinder" reputation
If you're wondering how Morton got the job in the first place, you have to look at his resume. The guy is an NFL lifer. He’s been around since 1998, working under some of the biggest egos in the game: Jon Gruden, Sean Payton, and Pete Carroll.
He’s known as a "behind-the-scenes grinder." He doesn't want the spotlight. He doesn't want to be a head coach. He just wants to draw up plays. That’s usually exactly what a guy like Dan Campbell wants in an assistant.
But there’s a recurring theme in Morton’s career. He was the Jets' offensive coordinator in 2017 and got fired after one year there too, reportedly due to "philosophical differences" with Todd Bowles. It seems like Morton is a brilliant "idea guy" who struggles when he's the one actually pulling the trigger on 3rd-and-long.
What’s next for the Lions and Morton?
So, where does this leave everyone?
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As of mid-January 2026, the Lions are back in the coordinator market. Campbell has even hinted he might just keep the play-calling duties himself for the 2026 season. "You don't have to worry about your play-caller leaving," he told reporters. It’s a bold move, but after the Morton experience, he might be tired of trusting outsiders with his offense.
As for John Morton, he’ll find work. He always does. Guys with 20+ years of experience don't stay unemployed for long. He’ll likely land as a passing game coordinator or a senior assistant for a team with a young staff that needs a veteran "grinder" in the room.
Key Takeaways for Lions Fans
- Don't overreact to the stats: The yards were there, but the scoring and 3rd-down efficiency (which dropped to 20th in the league) were the real issues.
- The O-Line is everything: If the Lions don't get healthy upfront in 2026, it won't matter who the coordinator is.
- Watch the "continuity" trap: Trying to keep Ben Johnson's system without Ben Johnson proved harder than anyone expected.
If you’re tracking the Lions' next move, keep an eye on the offensive line rebuild. That’s the real priority. The coordinator hire is flashy, but fixing the protection for Jared Goff is the only way this team gets back to the postseason in 2026. Keep your alerts on for the Senior Bowl and Combine—that’s where the real rebuilding starts.
Next Steps for Following the Lions Coaching Search:
- Monitor the Detroit Lions' official coaching tracker for interviews with candidates like Mike McDaniel or internal promotions.
- Watch the NFL Waiver Wire and free agency moves regarding offensive line depth; the 2025 collapse proved the Lions need a better "Plan B" for injuries.
- Check the Senior Bowl rosters in February to see which offensive linemen the Lions' scouting department is zeroing in on to replace aging or injury-prone starters.