Lions Hire Broncos’ John Morton as OC and Promote Kelvin Sheppard to DC
Denver Broncos pass game coordinator John Morton, left, is reportedly joining the Detroit Lions as offensive coordinator.
By LARRY LAGE
The Detroit Lions have reached an agreement to bring in Denver Broncos assistant John Morton as their offensive coordinator while elevating Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The source spoke to The Associated Press under anonymity Tuesday night, as the deals had not yet been officially announced.
Both of Detroit’s coordinators departed to take head coaching jobs. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was hired by the Chicago Bears, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn took over the New York Jets, just days after the top-seeded Lions suffered a shocking loss to sixth-seeded Washington in the NFC divisional playoffs.
Johnson and Glenn are among the finalists for The Associated Press NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honor.
Dan Campbell, a finalist for AP Coach of the Year, anticipated both coordinators’ departures even before their hires.
Campbell noted that quarterback Jared Goff would have input in selecting the offensive coordinator and expressed confidence that the Pro Bowler would continue to thrive without Johnson calling plays.
“This offense is designed for Goff to succeed with our playmakers,” Campbell said last week.
Goff has familiarity with Morton, who previously served as a senior offensive assistant for the Lions in 2022.
“I want to maintain our terminology,” Campbell said before hiring Morton. “I want Goff to be comfortable because he’s performing at a high level.”
Detroit’s players are well acquainted with Sheppard.
He has been coaching the team’s linebackers for the past three years, after leading the outside linebackers in 2021.
A native of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Sheppard was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2011 draft after playing at LSU. The linebacker recorded 429 tackles across 107 career games.
Campbell provided Sheppard with his first coaching opportunity following his role as LSU’s director of player development in 2020.
The Broncos hired Morton from Detroit in 2023, and he served as their passing game coordinator for two seasons. His coaching career spans over 20 years, with stints at Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, the New York Jets, New Orleans, and San Francisco.
Morton, a Detroit-area native, was an All-Mid-American Conference wide receiver at Western Michigan.