Ben Johnson’s replacement has been found.
The Detroit Lions are tabbing Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton as their new offensive coordinator, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, per sources.
Morton, 55, spent the 2022 season with the Lions as the team’s senior offensive assistant, so he’s familiar with head coach Dan Campbell and the Detroit offense.
Still, he’ll have a massive task ahead in replacing Johnson and maintaining Detroit’s high-octane offense.
Johnson was hired as the Bears’ head coach on Jan. 21, leaving behind an offense that was top five in points and yards in each of Johnson’s three seasons as offensive coordinator. In 2024, Detroit boasted the No. 1 scoring offense and the No. 2 unit in total yards.
Though it’s a tough act to follow, Morton will find a cornucopia of talent such as offensive tackle Penei Sewell, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams and quarterback Jared Goff.
Morton heads back to Motown with plenty of experience.
He began his days in the NFL with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2002 as an offensive assistant. He later took on the same role with the New Orleans Saints under Sean Payton, spent four seasons as USC’s offensive coordinator, was with the San Francisco 49ers and Saints as a wide receivers coach and then became the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator in 2017. He returned to the Raiders as a senior offensive assistant after that. Following his stint with Campbell in ’22, Morton has been with Payton and the Broncos the past two seasons.
After a stunning Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders, Campbell and the Lions lost both their coordinators -- Johnson to the Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets.
They’ve moved just as quickly, though, promoting Kelvin Sheppard to DC and hiring Morton to take on the offensive reins.