ESPN: Lions hiring Broncos passing game assistant John Morton as new offensive coordinator.

The Detroit Lions are hiring Denver Broncos passing game assistant John Morton as their new offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. Morton will replace Ben Johnson, who left to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders.

John Morton’s Background

Morton, 54, has extensive experience in the NFL, both as a coach and coordinator. He spent the 2023 season with the Broncos under Sean Payton, helping develop their passing attack. Prior to that, he held coaching positions with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Las Vegas Raiders. His most prominent role as an offensive coordinator came in 2017 with the Jets, where he guided an overachieving unit led by quarterback Josh McCown. Under Morton, the Jets ranked 24th in total offense but showed improvement in passing efficiency despite limited talent.

Morton has also spent time in college football, including a stint at USC as the offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll. His coaching career began in 1998 with the Raiders, where he worked in various roles before transitioning to the college ranks.

Lions’ Decision to Hire Morton

Detroit’s decision to bring in Morton likely stems from his diverse coaching background and experience working with multiple offensive systems. The Lions have built one of the NFL