Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell To Take On Increased Role For Remainder Of Season
It seems Dan Campbell has decided he’s not just the head coach anymore; he’s also the new offensive maestro for the Detroit Lions. After a little “test run” in Week 10, Campbell is grabbing the play sheet and not letting go for the rest of the season.
Let’s be honest, something had to give. The Lions’ offense, which was supposed to be a high-powered machine, looked more like it was stuck in neutral under Offensive Coordinator John Morton. After a gut-punching 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the offense looked stagnant, predictable, and, frankly, a little boring. The team was 6-3, but they were winning with all the grace of a toddler carrying a full bowl of soup.
Enter Coach Campbell, a man who looks like he could still suit up and bench press a defensive tackle. He decided to take matters into his own hands against the Washington Commanders. The result? A 44-point explosion, the team’s second-highest scoring game of the season. The offense was firing on all cylinders, looking creative and, dare I say, fun. It was the kind of performance that makes you lean back and say, “Well, okay then.”
After a showing like that, the writing was on the wall. Campbell has now made it official, telling Jay Glazer of FOX Sports that he’s the play-caller for the foreseeable future.
What This Means For John Morton
So, where does this leave John Morton? For now, he’s in the awkward position of being the offensive coordinator who… well, doesn’t coordinate the offense. Campbell was quick to say that Morton has been a “fantastic” help during the transition.
You have to feel for Morton a bit. Taking over after the Lions lost both their star coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, to head coaching gigs was never going to be an easy task. But the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately?” league, and lately, the offense wasn’t getting it done. Campbell’s move isn’t just about one game; it’s a signal that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get this team over the hump.
Can Dan Campbell Keep the Magic Going?
Now for the million-dollar question: was the 44-point outburst a fluke or a sign of things to come? Beating up on a struggling Commanders team is one thing, but now Campbell has to prove he can out-scheme the big dogs. The real test comes this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, a team with a defense that doesn’t just show up—it bullies you.
This isn’t Campbell’s first rodeo calling plays, but doing it for the rest of a high-stakes season is a different beast entirely. It’s a bold, almost audacious move. But if you’ve paid any attention to Campbell, you know that’s his brand. He’s a kneecap-biting, all-gas-no-brakes kind of leader. Taking over play-calling fits his persona perfectly. For the Lions and their long-suffering fans, they’re hoping this gamble pays off and turns a good team into a great one.
