He had been mentioned somewhat peripherally, then he surfaced as a serious candidate before dual reports on Monday from ESPN's Adam Schefter practically declared it was happening. Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network subsequently reported on Monday it was "only a matter of time" before it's official.
So Denver Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton is set to be the Lions' new offensive coordinator, replacing Ben Johnson.
Update, Jan. 28: According to multiple reports, the Lions have officially hired Morton.
Not to be confused with former Lions' wide receiver Johnnie Morton, who is still top-five in franchise history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, some Lions' fans may recall Morton was on the Lions' coaching staff in 2022 as a senior offensive assistant. He also interviewed for the Lions' offensive coordinator post when Dan Campbell was putting together his initial staff in 2021.
Who is John Morton? Everything you should know about the Lions new offensive coordinator
Despite working in the NFL most of the time since 1998, Morton is hardly a household name. He has never been a head coach, and he has been an NFL offensive coordinator just once before (and for just one season).
Morton is a Michigan native, born in Auburn Hills, and he's a Western Michigan alum. He played wide receiver professionally from 1993-1997, on a few NFL practice squads as well as with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL (1995-1996) and with the Frankfurt Galaxy (1997) in the World League of American Football (WLAF)
Here's a look at Morton's previous coaching resume.
- Oakland Raiders-Offensive Assistant (1998-1999)
- Oakland Raiders-Offensive Quality Control Coach (2000-2001)
- Oakland Raiders-Senior Offensive Assistant (2002-2003)
- Oakland Raiders-Tight Ends Coach (2004)
- University of San Diego-Passing game/wide receiver coach (2005)
- New Orleans Saints-Passing game coordinator/offensive assistant (2006)
- USC-Passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach (2007-2008)
- USC-Offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach (2009-2010)
- San Francisco 49ers-Wide receivers coach (2011-2014)
- New Orleans Saints-Wide receivers coach (2015-2016)
- New York Jets-Offensive coordinator (2017)
- Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders-Senior offensive assistant (2019-2021)
- Detroit Lions-Senior offensive assistant (2022)
- Denver Broncos-Passing game coordinator (2023-2024)
Morton has worked a lot with the wide receiver position over the course of his career, and he worked with some talented players at the position over a six-year stretch (2011-2016) with the 49ers and Saints (Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham, Braylon Edwards, Randy Moss, Anquan Boldin, Brandin Cooks, Michael Thomas, Marques Colston).
As for any concerns about Morton's one season as an NFL offensive coordinator, with the New York Jets in 2017 when he had reported "philosophical differences" with head coach Todd Bowles, it's safe to say he'll have far better players at his disposal as Lions' offensive coordinator.
38-year old Josh McCown started 13 games under center for the Jets that season. The top two pass catchers were Robbie Anderson (now Robbie Chosen) and Jermaine Kearse, with Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Eric Tomlinson as the top two tight ends. Bilal Powell was the team's leading rusher, with Matt Forte (in his final season) sharing time with him.
2017 New York Jets Offensive Snap Count Leaders (Season that John Morton was OC):
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) January 27, 2025
• LG James Carpenter - 1,035
• LT Kelvin Beachum - 1,034
• C Wesley Johnson - 938
• WR Jermain Kearse - 878
• QB Josh McCown (age 38) - 819
• WR Robby Anderson - 809
• RG Brian Winters - 807…
2017 Jets offense under John Morton
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) January 27, 2025
QB - Josh McCown: Career high in passing yards, TDs
RB - Bilal Powell: Career high in rushing yards, TDs
WR - Robbie Chosen: Career high in TDs, second-most yards of career
WR - Jermaine Kearse: Career high in receiving yards, TDs
TE -…
As noted by Al Karsten of Pride of Detroit, some really good offensive coaches (Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh, Jon Gruden) have hired Morton multiple times. He will also be working with Campbell, and Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, for the third time. All of that can only be considered good things as he tries to keep one of the league's best offenses rolling like it has been.