With John Morton Fired, Who is Favored to be the Detroit Lions’ New OC in 2026? Who is the Top Candidate to Replace John Morton?
Full Story on Morton Being Fired by Detroit
The Lions have become one of the best teams in the league over the past couple years. In fact, Detroit is coming off of consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 1993-1995. But unfortunately, the 2025 campaign turned out to be a disappointment due to new divisional competition from the Packers and Bears. After failing to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2022, the Lions decided to make a major change on the coaching staff. Despite keeping head coach Dan Campbell, Detroit fired offensive coordinator John Morton after just one season on the job. The Michigan-based organization began the campaign with a 5-2 start, but lost six of its remaining ten games.
At the time of the coaching announcement, the 9-8 Lions finished their 4th straight winning record. That is the first time Detroit has accomplished the feat since 1969-1972. One of the main changes the team went through in 2025 was RB David Montgomery giving up his starting role for Jahmyr Gibbs. Perhaps their biggest win of the season came on January 4, where the football squad defeated the eventual playoff contender Chicago Bears 19-16.
In terms of finding talent, Detroit has selected the following recent college prospects in the NFL Draft: DT Tyleik Williams (Ohio State, 2025), CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama, 2024), RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama, 2023), and DE Aiden Hutchinson (Michigan, 2022). In nine games in 2025, the offense scored 25 points or less per contest. Morton becomes the third offensive coordinator to lose his job in the offseason along with Josh Grizzard (Buccaneers) and Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders).
John Morton’s Career with the Detroit Lions
Morton became the offensive coordinator in 2025 after the departure of Ben Johnson for the Bears. The former had prior experience with the Lions as their senior offensive assistant in 2022. That being said, Detroit snapped its 22-year winless skid in the playoffs back in 2023. The team wants to return to the NFC Championship Game for only the third time since 1991. Most importantly, the football squad is looking for its first NFL championship since the pre-Super Bowl era in 1957. Throughout the former top offensive caller’s time in Michigan, the team compiled a 9-8 record (2-4 in divisional play).
Before joining Detroit, Morton was previously the pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2023 until 2024. He also served as a senior assistant for the Raiders (2019-2021) and offensive coordinator for the Jets (2017). Morton spent the majority of his career coaching wide receivers for the following teams: Saints (2015-2016), 49ers (2011-2014), and USC Trojans (2007-2010). He took San Francisco to the Super Bowl in 2011, but lost to Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens. Morton was even a pass game coordinator for New Orleans (2006), where he helped the Saints reach the NFC Championship Game that year.
What’s Next for the Detroit Lions?
Many Lions football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace John Morton in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Morton as Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator!
Possible Candidates to Replace John Morton as Detroit OC
Internal Candidates
Scottie Montgomery-Detroit
- Duke WR Coach (2006-2009)
- Steelers WR Coach (2010-2012)
- Duke Associate HC & OC (2013-2015)
- East Carolina HC (2016-2018)
- Maryland OC & QB Coach (2019-2020)
- Colts RB Coach (2021-2022)
- Lions Associate HC & RB Coach (2023-2024)
- Lions Associate HC & WR Coach (2025-Present)
- Guided Pittsburgh to Super Bowl in Early 2011
- Also Led Detroit to NFC Championship Game in Early 2024
Top Offensive Coordinator Candidates for Detroit Lions to Consider
Grant Udinski-Jacksonville
- Baylor Graduate Assistant (2019)
- Panthers Offense Assistant (2020-2022)
- Vikings Associate HC (2022)
- Minnesota Assistant QB Coach (2023)
- Vikings Co-OC & Co-QB Coach (2024)
- Jaguars OC (2025-Present)
- Guided Jacksonville to AFC South Division Title in 2025
Nate Scheelhaase-Los Angeles
- Illinois RB Coach (2015)
- Illinois Offense Assistant (2016-2017)
- Iowa State RB Coach (2018)
- Cyclones WR Coach (2019-2022)
- Iowa State OC & QB Coach (2023)
- Rams Offense Assistant (2024)
- Rams Pass Game Coordinator (2025-Present)
- Took Cyclones to 2020 Big 12 Championship Game
- Also Guided Los Angeles to #5 Seed in the NFC in 2025
Todd Monken-Baltimore
- LSU WR Coach (2005-2006)
- Jaguars WR Coach (2007-2010)
- Oklahoma State OC & QB Coach (2011-2012)
- Southern Miss HC (2013-2015)
- Lions OC (2016-2018)
- Browns OC (2019)
- Georgia OC & QB Coach (2020-2022)
- Ravens OC (2023-Present)
- Led Baltimore to AFC Championship Game in Early 2024
- Two-Time National Champion with Bulldogs (2021, 2022)
Zac Robinson-Atlanta
- Los Angeles Assistant QB Coach (2019)
- Rams Assistant WR Coach (2020)
- Los Angeles Assistant QB Coach (2021)
- Rams Pass Game Coordinator (2022-2023)
- Falcons OC (2024-Present)
- Won Super Bowl LVI with Los Angeles in 2021
Leading Candidate to Replace John Morton as Detroit OC in 2026
Mike Kafka-New York
- Northwestern Graduate Assistant (2016)
- Chiefs Offense Qualities Coach (2017)
- Chiefs QB Coach (2018-2021)
- Giants OC (2022-2025)
- Giants Interim HC (2025-Present)
- Took Kansas City to Super Bowl Title in Early 2020
- Also Guided Chiefs to Super Bowl in Early 2021 (Lost to TB)
- Led New York to Playoff Berth in 2022
Other Coaching Carousel Updates in the NFL:
Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders OC)
Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals HC)
Thanks for reading the List of Candidates to Replace John Morton as Detroit OC! We hope this article helped! Please feel free to read our other articles and follow us on X and Facebook for more!
