John Morton is making a return to the Denver Broncos, stepping back into the familiar role of pass game coordinator for the 2026 season. This move, reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, comes as no surprise given Morton’s advisory role with the Broncos during their recent playoff run.
Morton’s journey has seen him with the Detroit Lions in various capacities. In 2022, he joined as a senior offensive assistant under Ben Johnson, who was then the offensive coordinator.
Morton later moved to Denver, serving as the pass game coordinator before heading back to Detroit as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. During his tenure, the Lions achieved an impressive fifth place in points scored across the NFL.
However, their run game faltered, prompting head coach Dan Campbell to take over play-calling duties midway through the season.
With Morton’s departure, the Lions have appointed Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. Petzing brings experience from his time with the Arizona Cardinals, where he served as offensive coordinator for three seasons. His move to Detroit follows the Cardinals’ decision to part ways with head coach Jonathan Gannon, leaving Petzing free to explore new opportunities.
As the Lions prepare to finalize their 2026 coaching staff, fans are eager to see how these changes will impact the team’s performance in the upcoming season.