In the 2025 offseason, the Detroit Lions faced the risk of losing a vital part of their offensive soul when former Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson left to take the helm of the Chicago Bears. Everyone assumed Johnson would leverage his old connections to bring top talent into his new “empire”. And just as predicted, he personally reached out to John Morton – a seasoned, highly respected offensive mind – to invite him to join the Bears.
Morton is no stranger to NFL fans. He has helped shape multiple highly effective offensive systems and is widely praised for his creativity and game-reading ability. According to inside sources, Ben Johnson personally called Morton to recruit him for the Bears’ new coaching staff. With his wealth of experience and innovative play-calling skills, Morton was a “hot commodity” any team would love to have. For the Bears, he would have been the perfect ace up their sleeve.
But the Lions didn’t sit idly by. While the Bears worked hard to lure him away, Dan Campbell and the Lions’ front office quietly launched a counterattack. They weren’t just looking to fill the void Johnson left – they wanted to upgrade an offense that had already ranked No. 1 in the NFL in 2024. Campbell described Morton as “a silent grinder, creative, and solely focused on offensive football” – exactly the DNA the Lions need to chase their first Lombardi Trophy.
The tug-of-war played out quietly but intensely, and the result shocked the entire NFL: Morton turned down Johnson’s offer and signed on as the new Offensive Coordinator of the Detroit Lions. This was more than just a staffing move – it was a statement that the Lions are not only holding their ground but are ready to explode like never before. A spectacular counterpunch, sending a clear message to the league: #OnePride will not back down – we’re charging forward to claim the cup!