The Detroit Lions are trying to regain their momentum after experiencing a stunning loss in the postseason. Following a remarkable regular season in which they won the NFC North for the second straight year and secured the number one overall seed in the NFL for the first time in franchise history, the Lions enjoyed a bye week during the Wild Card round. However, they fell short in the divisional round against rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders, resulting in a shocking upset. This early exit was compounded by the loss of key coaching staff, as both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn accepted head coaching positions with other teams, leading to further departures among assistants seeking promotions elsewhere.
Currently, the Lions’ head coach is focused on rebuilding his staff, with a particular emphasis on finding a new offensive coordinator. Reports indicate that the team is pursuing Broncos pass game coordinator Johnny Morton as Johnson’s replacement. Morton, who has previous ties to Detroit, is set to travel to the city for discussions with the team. ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared the news on Twitter:
Lions are working to hire Broncos pass game coordinator Johnny Morton as their offensive coordinator and the coach to replace Ben Johnson, per sources. He is traveling to Detroit to meet with team. Morton worked in Detroit before and could soon be doing it again. pic.twitter.com/spszqgHCVb
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2025
Fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the Lions’ potential new hire. One Twitter user remarked, “Replacing Ben Johnson is make or break for Dan Campbell.” Another fan highlighted Morton’s ability, stating, “He made Bo Nix play and win more than Caleb Williams despite throwing to the Sutton and 3 local security guards at the nearest high school plus he’s very familiar with Dan and the Lions.” Others have expressed concerns about Morton’s past experience in the context of the rapidly evolving NFL; one added, “Success will depend on whether he brings fresh ideas or sticks to old playbooks.” Another fan commented, “Made Bo Nix look better than Caleb Williams with geriatric Josh Reynolds as his WR1. Love it!”
It will be intriguing to observe how the Lions’ offense performs without Ben Johnson at the helm.
