John Morton (American football)

Last updated

John Morton
Detroit Lions
2008-1018-USC-JohnMorton.jpg
Morton with the USC Trojans in 2008
Personal information
Born (1969-09-24) September 24, 1969 (age 55)
Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight186 lb (84 kg)
Career information
Position Offensive coordinator
High school Avondale (Auburn Hills, Michigan)
College Western Michigan
NFL draft 1993: undrafted
Career history
Playing
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Coaching
Coaching profile  at Pro Football Reference

John Morton (born September 24, 1969) is an American professional football coach and former player who is the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the passing game coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2023 to 2024.

Contents

Morton also previously served as a senior offensive assistant coach for the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and at USC.

Playing career

Morton played college football at Western Michigan, where he was a wide receiver. He played wide receiver professionally for the Canadian Football League Toronto Argonauts and on the practice squads of the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers. [1]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump
5 ft 11+7⁄8 in
(1.83 m)		186 lb
(84 kg)		31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m)		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		4.39 s1.55 s2.59 s4.30 s36.5 in
(0.93 m)

Coaching career

Oakland Raiders

After ending his playing career in 1997, Morton began working for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders, initially in the personnel department for one season. In 1998, he took a coaching position in the organization, originally as an offensive assistant working with wide receivers, and eventually was promoted to senior offensive assistant on a team that made it to Super Bowl XXXVII under head coach Bill Callahan. After another year at the position, he was elevated to Tight Ends Coach for the 2004 season under new Raiders head coach Norv Turner. [1]

San Diego

In 2005, he joined Jim Harbaugh's staff at the University of San Diego, a D-IAA college program, where he coached the passing game and wide receivers for a squad that went 11-1-0 and won the Pioneer Football League Championship.

New Orleans Saints

In 2006, Morton was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their passing game coordinator and offensive assistant under head coach Sean Payton, who advanced to the 2006 NFC Championship game.

USC

In 2007, Morton joined the University of Southern California (USC) as their passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. When offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian accepted a head coaching position with Washington, Morton was interviewed by head coach Pete Carroll as a candidate for the position. [2] As expected, Morton eventually got the job. [3] In 2010, Morton was retained as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach under head coach Lane Kiffin.

New York Jets

In 2017, Morton was hired by the New York Jets as their offensive coordinator under head coach Todd Bowles. On January 17, 2018, Morton was subsequently fired. [4]

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders

In February 2019, Morton was hired by the Oakland Raiders as a senior offensive assistant under head coach Jon Gruden.

Detroit Lions

In 2022, Morton was hired by the Detroit Lions as a senior offensive assistant under head coach Dan Campbell.

Denver Broncos

On February 26, 2023, Morton was hired by the Denver Broncos as their passing game coordinator, reuniting with head coach Sean Payton. [5]

Morton was heavily credited for helping enhance the development of rookie quarterback Bo Nix. His pass design was praised for helping Nix become more confident in finding defensive holes and building chemistry with his receivers.

Detroit Lions (second stint)

On January 30, 2025, Morton was hired by the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator, replacing Ben Johnson, after his departure to become head coach of the Chicago Bears. [6]

In his first game as Lions OC, he underwhelmed averaging just 3.8 yards per play. Pressure up the middle - without adjustments such as shotgun formation, TE wham blocks, fullback security blocks, roll outs, or play action - caused Jared Goff to have minimal time to throw. This pressure was never exploited, and instead dictated the entire pace of the game while Morton stubbornly called the same short yardage plays expecting miracle results. Several questionable play calls including a run up the middle on 3rd down with 16 yards to go, or the 14 dump offs to RBs Gibbs and Montgomery rather than taking a shot downfield when trailing in the score, have now caused big questions about Morton's creativity and ability to compete as an OC in Detroit. Fans are disgruntled, and already calling for Morton's replacement - suggesting that such a talented offense should not be dragged down by the anchor of this kind of mediocre play calling.

Personal life

Morton has two daughters, Tierney and Sage.

References

  1. 1 2 "John Morton - Football Coach".
  2. ↑ Klein, Gary (December 8, 2008). "Two coaches with quite the resumes". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ↑ Klein, Gary (December 13, 2008). "USC coaching staff may play musical chairs". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008.
  4. ↑ Rapoport, Ian (January 17, 2018). "The #Jets have fired OC John Morton, source confirms (as @MMehtaNYDN reported)". @RapSheet. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Broncos hire Lions assistant coach John Morton as their new passing game coordinator". lionswire.usatoday.com. February 27, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Lions announce offensive & defensive coordinator hires". Detroit Lions. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
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