Lions' OC John Morton open to Detroit return minus play-calling duties

First-year offensive coordinator John Morton's future with the Detroit Lions was thrust into limbo after Lions head coach Dan Campbell stripped Morton of his offensive play-calling duties following Detroit's Nov. 2 loss against the Minnesota Vikings.

On Thursday, Morton met with Detroit media in his final press conference of the 2025 season, where he said he'd love to remain with the organization in 2026.

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"I’d like to be here. I love it here, I love Dan (Campbell), I love the organization, it’s my home. That’s all I’m thinking about is Chicago right now, so, and whatever happens, happens," Morton said.

The Lions were a better statistical offense with Morton pulling the strings this season. Detroit went 5-3 and averaged 29.9 points and 125.1 yards rushing per game before the change. After Campbell took over offensive play-calling duties, the Lions have gone 3-5 while scoring 26.8 points per game and averaging 114.8 yards on the ground.

Still, offensive consistency eluded the Lions throughout the entirety of 2025.

Though Morton acknowledged he'd like the opportunity to call plays again, he said he'd like to stay with the Lions in 2026 even if he doesn't have offensive play-calling responsiblities.

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"Listen, I told you guys before, I’m a team player, man. I’ll do whatever it takes at this point in my career. Whatever Dan wants, I’ll do. So I’m here to help him and help this team win and that’s what I’ve done. I’m proud of some of the work that I’ve done, obviously, so that’s kind of where I’m at with that...

"We’ll look at the offseason and I’ll just keep going like I’m the coordinator calling plays and try to improve. It’s like I said, I’m going to do whatever it takes, but I’m going to keep going like I’m going to call the plays and if that doesn’t happen, fine," Morton said.

Until then, Morton is focused on trying to guide the Lions to a fourth consecutive winning season with a victory at Chicago (11-5) in Detroit's 2025 finale.

"Listen, I’ve been in this business for a while. I’m proud of the things that I’ve done. There’s a lot of things that I got to improve on. So, whatever happens, happens. But listen, my main focus is Chicago right now, that’s all I’m thinking about and that’s all I ever do. I live in the moment, I always have," Morton said.

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During Morton's first stint in Detroit as the senior offensive assistant in 2022, the Lions ranked fourth in total offense (380.0) and fifth in scoring (26.6 points per game). Five Lions offensive players were selected to the Pro Bowl in 2022.

A native of Rochester Hills, Mich., Morton is a 1997 graduate of Western Michigan.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions' OC John Morton open to Detroit return minus play-calling duties