Yet another name has been added to the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator search. According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review Journal (and friend of the PODcast), the Lions have interviewed Raiders senior offensive assistant coach John Morton for the job.
Morton has nearly two decades of experience coaching in the NFL. He’s served as a wide receivers coach for the University of San Diego (2005), USC (2007-08), the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14), and the New Orleans Saints (2015-16). That last stint is the most notable, as he was working alongside current Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who was the tight ends coach at the time.
Morton also comes with offensive coordinator experience. From 2009-10, he was the offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll at USC, filling in for Steve Sarkisian, who landed a head coaching job with the University of Washington. He also held the offensive coordinator position with the New York Jets in 2017.
It’s also noteworthy that Morton is from Detroit, having been born in Auburn Hills. But, no, he’s not famous Lions wide receiver Johnny Morton.
Morton is the third known candidate to interview for the Lions’ offensive coordinator job, joining Steelers wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard and Ravens quarterbacks coach James Urban. Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions may also be interested in Anthony Lynn and Ken Dorsey.
As of now, the Lions have yet to make any official moves filling out their coaching staff beyond the head coach himself. However, it is clear the following coaches will not be returning: offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan, defensive line coach Bo Davis and special teams assistant Marquice Williams. Oh, and Matt Patricia.