The Detroit Lions have once again found themselves at a crossroads, announcing on January 6, 2026, that they have fired offensive coordinator John Morton after just a single season at the helm. The move, confirmed by the team and first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, comes after a turbulent campaign that saw the Lions miss the postseason for the first time since 2022, despite boasting one of the league’s most talented rosters and sky-high expectations coming into the year.
Morton, a Michigan native with deep roots in the football world, was brought in to replace Ben Johnson, who departed after the Lions’ record-setting 15-win 2024 season to take the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears. Under Johnson’s guidance, the Lions had led the NFL with a blistering 33.2 points per game and appeared poised to remain among the NFC’s elite. Morton’s arrival was seen as a move for continuity, especially given his previous stint as Detroit’s senior offensive assistant in 2022 and his reputation as a seasoned tactician with stops under coaching luminaries like Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh, Jon Gruden, and Pete Carroll.
But the 2025 season proved to be anything but smooth. While the Lions finished tied for fourth in scoring at 28.3 points per game and ranked third in passing yards and eighth in red zone efficiency, something was clearly amiss. The offense, despite its statistical prowess, struggled to find rhythm and consistency, especially when it came to sustaining drives and executing in key moments. Detroit ended the year with a 9-8 record—good for third in the NFC North—and watched as playoff hopes faded, a far cry from the Super Bowl aspirations that had defined the previous offseason.
Head coach Dan Campbell, who had previously worked alongside Morton under Sean Payton in New Orleans, ultimately made the call to take over play-calling duties after a 27-24 upset loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9. The change was initially described as a collaborative effort, with Campbell emphasizing, “It was just, let’s try something a little different. Look, I know what I want to do, I know how I want to do it. Now, that being said, this is a collaborative effort. I was taking input from John Morton that whole time, and the other coaches.” Yet, as the weeks passed, it became clear that Campbell was searching for a spark that Morton’s system simply wasn’t providing.
Statistically, the Lions were still putting up points, but the numbers hid deeper issues. The team finished 20th in the NFL on third down and just 14th in rushing, despite having one of the league’s most dynamic running back duos in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Gibbs enjoyed a breakout season, but Montgomery was curiously underutilized, tallying a career-low 158 carries. The offense’s inability to adapt, particularly when missing key offensive linemen like Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, and a healthy Taylor Decker, became a recurring theme. Morton was often blunt in his assessments, frequently pointing to the offensive line as the root of the team’s struggles—a stance that, while not entirely unfounded, did little to inspire confidence or accountability within the locker room.
The split in offensive production was telling. With Morton calling plays, the Lions went 5-3, averaging 29.9 points and 125.1 rushing yards per game. After Campbell took over, Detroit finished 4-5, averaging 26.9 points and 115.6 rushing yards. The offense showed flashes—most notably in a 44-22 rout of the Washington Commanders—but failed to maintain that momentum. In games where the Lions failed to reach 100 rushing yards, they went winless at 0-7, underscoring the team’s inability to control the ground game when it mattered most.
Morton’s firing marks the third time in five seasons that Campbell has parted ways with an offensive coordinator. Anthony Lynn was relieved of play-calling duties during Campbell’s first year in 2021, followed by Johnson’s departure for Chicago and now Morton’s brief tenure. The revolving door at the coordinator position has raised questions about the team’s long-term offensive identity and the pressure mounting on Campbell to find the right fit going forward. As one source from The Athletic put it, “Campbell had hired three offensive coordinators in Detroit. Two of them were fired after one season. The other now resides in Campbell’s division, gearing up for a playoff game while the Lions watch from home. He needs to nail this one.”
Despite the disappointment, Detroit’s front office and coaching staff remain optimistic about the future. The Lions still boast one of the NFL’s most talented offensive groups, highlighted by Pro Bowlers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs, and a quarterback in Jared Goff who has thrived when given stability. “The Lions, despite missing the playoffs, don’t believe they’re far off. They still boast one of the best offensive talent pools in the league. This should be a coveted job, and there should be good candidates—internally and externally. We’ll see who Campbell hires,” wrote The Athletic.
As for the search ahead, Campbell is expected to cast a wider net than in years past. With familiar names like former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and Denver Broncos pass game coordinator Davis Webb rumored to be available, Detroit could look to inject new ideas and reignite a rushing attack that sputtered down the stretch. There’s also speculation that Campbell may continue calling plays himself, though he remains noncommittal. “I mean, I’m open to anything. I don’t know exactly where I’m at with that yet. I mean, I guess one of the good things if I did do that, you don’t have to worry about somebody else leaving. You don’t have to worry about your playcaller leaving. So, that would be one of the perks of it,” Campbell said on January 5, 2026, before adding, “I really want to do what I feel is best for the team.”
For Morton, the end in Detroit comes with a sense of unfinished business. Just last week, he expressed hope to remain with the team in some capacity, but the writing was on the wall after Campbell’s midseason takeover. Morton’s legacy will be that of a respected grinder, a Michigan native who returned home to help guide a high-powered offense, but ultimately couldn’t deliver on the franchise’s lofty goals.
Now, as the Lions begin yet another search for an offensive architect, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a talented roster, a passionate fanbase, and a head coach under pressure to deliver, Detroit’s next move will be watched closely across the NFL landscape. The Motor City faithful will be hoping that this time, the right hire can finally turn promise into postseason glory.
