Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
John Morton (American football)
American football player and coach (born 1969) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
John Morton (born September 24, 1969) is an American professional football coach and former player who is the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the passing game coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2023 to 2024.
Morton also previously served as a senior offensive assistant coach for the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and at USC.
Remove ads
Playing career
Morton played college football at Western Michigan, where he was a wide receiver. He played wide receiver professionally for the Canadian Football League Toronto Argonauts and on the practice squads of the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers.[1]
Remove ads
Coaching career
Summarize
Perspective
Oakland Raiders
After ending his playing career in 1997, Morton began working for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders, initially in the personnel department for one season. In 1998, he took a coaching position in the organization, originally as an offensive assistant working with wide receivers, and eventually was promoted to senior offensive assistant on a team that made it to Super Bowl XXXVII under head coach Bill Callahan. After another year at the position, he was elevated to Tight Ends Coach for the 2004 season under new Raiders head coach Norv Turner.[1]
San Diego
In 2005, he joined Jim Harbaugh's staff at the University of San Diego, a D-IAA college program, where he coached the passing game and wide receivers for a squad that went 11-1-0 and won the Pioneer Football League Championship.
New Orleans Saints
In 2006, Morton was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their passing game coordinator and offensive assistant under head coach Sean Payton, who advanced to the 2006 NFC Championship game.
USC
In 2007, Morton joined the University of Southern California (USC) as their passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. When offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian accepted a head coaching position with Washington, Morton was interviewed by head coach Pete Carroll as a candidate for the position.[2] As expected, Morton eventually got the job.[3] In 2010, Morton was retained as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach under head coach Lane Kiffin.
New York Jets
In 2017, Morton was hired by the New York Jets as their offensive coordinator under head coach Todd Bowles. On January 17, 2018, Morton was subsequently fired.[4]
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders
In February 2019, Morton was hired by the Oakland Raiders as a senior offensive assistant under head coach Jon Gruden.
Detroit Lions
In 2022, Morton was hired by the Detroit Lions as a senior offensive assistant under head coach Dan Campbell.
Denver Broncos
On February 26, 2023, Morton was hired by the Denver Broncos as their passing game coordinator, reuniting with head coach Sean Payton.[5]
Morton was heavily credited for helping enhance the development of rookie quarterback Bo Nix. His pass design was praised for helping Nix become more confident in finding defensive holes and building chemistry with his receivers.
Detroit Lions (second stint)
On January 30, 2025, Morton was hired by the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator, replacing Ben Johnson, after his departure to become head coach of the Chicago Bears.[6]
Remove ads
Personal life
Morton has two daughters, Tierney and Sage.
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads