Detroit Lions land Ben Johnson replacement after losing offensive coordinator to Chicago Bears
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The Detroit Lions have landed their new offensive coordinator after losing Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears.
The Lions have suffered a trio of blows this postseason, first being eliminated from the playoffs in a shock upset defeat to the Washington Commanders, the losing both OC Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching positions.
However, Dan Campbell and co. are already looking to bounce back, having appointed John Morton to replace Johnson, according to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
The 55-year-old’s hiring marks a return to Detroit after Morton spent the 2022 season as the Lions’ senior offensive assistant.
While Morton may possess familiarity with Campbell’s coaching and the Detroit offense, he has big shoes to fill left behind by Johnson.
Johnson has left behind a high-octane offense that was top five in points and yards in each of his three seasons as offensive coordinator.
In the 2024 season, which saw the Lions clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, Detroit boasted the No. 1 scoring offense and the No. 2 unit in total yards.
While it’s a tall task to replicate the success, Morton will be inheriting a talented offensive roster, including 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 began his NFL career with the Raiders in 2002 as an offensive assistant, later taking on the same role with Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints.
He spent a four-year stint in college football as the offensive coordinator for USC, before returning to the NFL as wide receiver coach for both the San Francisco 49ers and the Saints.
Morton then became the Jets’ offensive coordinator in 2017 and later returned to the Raiders as a senior offensive assistant after his time in New York.
Most recently, he has been working under Payton again, this time in Denver, for the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, the Lions hired from within their own pride to replace Glenn, who took the job as the Jets’ new head coach, as defensive coordinator.
The Lions elevated the eight-year NFL veteran Kelvin Sheppard, who earned his first DC job in his third season under head coach Campbell.
