Detroit Lions Podcast: Lions fire OC John Morton, identity reset

No Playoff Preview, Real Talk Instead

The Detroit Lions Podcast returned from the holiday break without a playoff show. The tone matched the season. Missed chances. Hard questions. Changes have already started. Offensive coordinator John Morton is out. The hosts recorded on Wednesday and expect Brad Holmes to speak Thursday. Dan Campbell has talked about getting back to what worked. The message is clear. The Detroit Lions need an identity reset.

Identity Drift Shows in the Red Zone

The episode drilled into situational errors. A Bears example stood out. Two straight red-zone trips reached the 10. Each series ended with three consecutive pass plays. Then it happened again on the next drive. That is not how this offense was built. It undercut the run game and the line. The NFL punishes predictability. The show connected that stretch to the broader theme Campbell raised about drifting from their roots. The result was stalled drives and frustration.

Coordinator Fallout and Staff Questions

Morton’s dismissal capped a season-long slide. The issues were visible from Week 1. He was replaced as play caller during the season, and he seemed to take shots in the media after that. The episode described how that dynamic felt like a wedge in the locker room. There had been chatter about Morton returning in a support role or coaching a position group. That is not happening. He is gone. Tyler Rolle is leaving for Iowa State to be the OC, which adds another moving piece. The run game needs stewardship. The show questioned whether Hank Fraley will remain the run game coordinator. That role could change or become a lesson learned. Names like Scotty Montgomery and Tashard Choice surfaced as influences on the room, but the point was bigger than any one title. The Detroit Lions must fix process, sequencing, and trust.

What’s Next in Detroit

Campbell’s comments about roots and situational football set the offseason agenda. Self-scout every call sheet. Rebuild the red-zone plan. Recommit to the physical identity that carried this team two and three years ago. The hosts expect visible changes as the NFL offseason unfolds. Holmes’ remarks should frame the next steps. The episode also teased draft conversation to close, with an eye on keeping the window open. The task is straightforward. Cut the noise. Align staff roles. Call games that fit the personnel. The Detroit Lions do not need a new soul. They need to play like themselves again.

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