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Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions remain among the NFC’s most quality teams in 2025, but things haven’t run quite so smoothly as they did over the past two seasons.
Detroit entered its Week 10 contest with the Washington Commanders at 5-3 having lost two of its last three contests. Playing on the road and without making any announcements leading up to the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell appeared to assume play-calling duties based on first-hand reports.
Mike Garafolo
#Lions HC Dan Campbell has a play sheet and is doing the talking into the headset in between plays. Lots of indications of a disconnect between OC John Morton and the players and coaches. Campbell appears to have taken over offensive play calling, which he indicated was possible.
“#Lions HC Dan Campbell has a play sheet and is doing the talking into the headset in between plays,” Mike Garofolo of NFL Network reported via X. “Lots of indications of a disconnect between [offensive coordinator] John Morton and the players and coaches. Campbell appears to have taken over offensive play calling, which he indicated was possible.”
Lions Missing Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson as Offensive Coordinator
Ben Johnson
GettyChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
Morton is in his first year as OC in Detroit following the exit of Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears, where he is now the head coach of a 6-3 squad in his first season at the helm.
Former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn also left following the 2024 campaign to take a head coaching position with the New York Jets. Kelvin Sheppard stepped in for Glenn ahead of this season and caught some heat as a candidate for the LSU job after that university fired former head coach Brian Kelly earlier this year. Meanwhile, Morton may have lost play-calling privileges halfway into his first season on the job.
Campbell’s move appeared to breathe life into the Lions’ offense, which posted 35 points through three quarters and held a 19-point advantage over the Commanders heading into the final stanza. Quarterback Jared Goff was 24-of-32 passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns heading into the fourth period, while Detroit’s rushing attack had amassed 139 ground yards and one score collectively.
The Lions finished second, third and fourth in overall offense over the last three years, respectively, with Johnson at the helm of the unit. Detroit was outside the top 10 in total offense (No. 11) heading into Week 10 against the Commanders.