John Morton had no shortage of suitors when it came time to decide his coaching future. While on vacation in Mexico earlier this offseason, the veteran offensive coach suddenly became one of the hottest names in football.
Morton’s Big Decision
According to reports, Ben Johnson, now head coach of the Chicago Bears, reached out to Morton and tried to bring him to Chicago. At the same time, Sean Payton wanted Morton to stay with him in Denver, and Dan Campbell was calling from Detroit with a major opportunity: offensive coordinator of the Lions.
It was a decision that had Morton weighing multiple paths, but Campbell always had the edge.
“I didn’t know Ben would call him, but I had a good hunch that Ben would call him. I mean, he’d be crazy not to,” Campbell said via the Detroit Free Press. “That’s the thing, Johnny is like a behind-the-scenes grinder. He’s not somebody that has ambition to be a head coach, he just wants to coach offensive football. That’s all he gives a crap about, and then just — that’s it. And so anybody that’s looking for somebody that’s creative and is a grinder, you’re going to want John Morton.”
Why Detroit Won Out
Morton didn’t make the choice lightly. He contacted close confidants in the coaching world, and the advice was clear: Detroit was the right fit. His reputation as a detailed, hard-working offensive mind lined up perfectly with Campbell’s vision for the league’s highest-scoring offense in 2024.
In the end, Morton chose to lead the Lions’ offense into 2025, stepping into the role vacated by Johnson’s departure to Chicago.
For Detroit, it was a win. For Morton, it was a chance to do what he loves most, coach offensive football, without the distractions of chasing a head coaching job.