After a short stint as offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, the Denver Broncos are set to re-hire John Morton on staff for the role he had previously held.
Denver Broncos to hire John Morton as pass-game coordinator
John Morton is set to return to Sean Payton’s staff in a full-time capacity a year or so after he initially departed the team to become the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
Morton was demoted in season as the Lions’ playcaller and was ultimately one and done under Dan Campbell, but is set to return as the offensive pass-game coordinator, a role he held in 2024 under Payton, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
For the NFL Playoffs, Payton brought Morton back on staff in a consultant role for the postseason, and he ideated Frank Crum’s receiving touchdown against the Buffalo Bills after the Lions ran that same play this past season.
It will be interesting to see how Morton’s role will work alongside Payton and new offensive coordinator Davis Webb, considering Webb was the offensive pass-game coordinator last season. With Payton set to speak to the media on Monday afternoon at the NFL Combine, that is anticipated to be one of the first questions he’ll be asked about as he steps to the podium.
While the optics appear unlikely for Payton to give up playcalling, various moments of reflection throughout this season from him have given way to the idea that he could potentially embrace the full CEO approach with final say.
One analogy Payton made when talking about being quicker with getting the playcall in was that, as you get older, it’s usually not recommended to drive in the rain at night.
At times this past season, there were notable instances of Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham signaling to the sideline to hurry when it came to getting personnel in or the playcall. Having Webb call plays would allow Payton to manage the game, enabling him to focus on elements like dealing with officials and ultimately making important decisions like whether or not to go for it on fourth down.
Webb had serious offers from at least four teams this offseason to have full playcalling autonomy as a coordinator, but he turned them down to remain in Denver.
