Detroit Lions close to hiring John Morton as offensive coordinator to replace Ben Johnson

Posted by author January 27, 2025 NFL

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John Morton looks to be the favorite to become the Detroit Lions‘ next offensive coordinator in the search to replace Ben Johnson.

The Lions are “working to hire” Morton, the pass game coordinator with the Denver Broncos for the past two seasons under head coach Sean Payton, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.

“He is traveling to Detroit to meet with team,” Schefter added. The Lions previously interviewed Morton and he was a candidate to watch.

Morton, 55, was a senior offensive assistant with the Lions in 2022, attended Western Michigan and is from Rochester Hills.

Morton was the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator in 2017 under head coach Todd Bowles with quarterback Josh McCown. Morton was fired after one season, when the Jets went 5-11 and ranked 24th in the NFL with 18.6 points per game.

Here’s what Lions coach Dan Campbell said about Morton after his one season in Detroit: “What Johnny Morton did for us on offense this year was pivotal,” Campbell said at the NFL scouting combine in 2023. “And it was behind the scenes and I’m not sure everybody understands just how important he was for us.”

Morton has more than two decades of NFL coaching experience working with the Broncos (2023-24), Lions (2022), Raiders (2019-21; 1997-2004), Jets (2017), Saints (2006, ’15-16) and 49ers (2011-14).

He also coached in college at USC (2007-10), hired by Pete Carroll.

Other candidates believed to be in consideration for the Lions’ OC job include two current Lions assistants in passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand and assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery.

Johnson was named Chicago Bears head coach last week after helping the Lions to the top-ranked offense in the NFL.

The Lions filled their defensive coordinator vacancy Saturday, promoting linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to replace Aaron Glenn, who is now the New York Jets head coach.

Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett contributed to this report.

Stay tuned for the best Lions coverage all year long at freep.com/sports/lions.

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