The Detroit Lions’ offense didn’t exactly roar in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. The running game was bottled up, averaging just 2.1 yards per carry, and the unit didn’t find the end zone until rookie Isaac TeSlaa’s highlight-reel touchdown in garbage time. But if you ask offensive coordinator John Morton, there’s no reason to panic.
Jared Goff John Morton John Morton Detroit Lions offense John Morton Detroit Lions offense
Morton Not Mincing Words
“It’s an easy fix, it’s an easy fix. Again, we’re not in panic mode,” Morton told reporters this week. “But 2.1 (yards per carry), that isn’t going to cut it. That isn’t going to cut it, that should never happen.”
Morton knows the numbers were ugly, but he’s confident they don’t reflect the true potential of this group. His biggest message? Don’t overcomplicate things.
Simplifying for Speed
Morton explained that part of the problem was too much on the players’ plates, especially for a team still getting used to his system. He plans on trimming things down so the offense can play faster and cleaner.
“We’re doing plays that they’ve done,” Morton said. “Now, there’s some young guys, right. So we’ve just got to make sure we give them the right looks, all the different type of right looks, and to make sure they know exactly what they’re doing. And that’s what we’ve done.”
Why This Matters
The Lions still have one of the most talented offensive rosters in the NFC — with Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Amon-Ra St. Brown all capable of big plays. If communication and assignments are the real issue, Morton’s optimism should resonate with fans who feared Week 1’s loss was a sign of something bigger.
Detroit faces the Chicago Bears this Sunday at Ford Field, and Morton’s offense will get a chance to prove that the Packers game was just a blip.