Jared Goff Lauds ‘Great Transition’ to New Lions Offensive Coordinator John Morton

By Roy J. Miles

At Detroit Lions training camp in Allen Park, veteran quarterback Jared Goff offered a candid and optimistic assessment of the transition from long‑time offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to John Morton under center for the 2025 season. Goff, who posted his first MVP finalist campaign in 2024 with Johnson calling plays, acknowledged the coaching change but emphasized that the offensive identity remains largely consistent, describing the adjustment as minor and manageable. He declared the shift a “great transition” and said the differences from last year’s system are limited—most of the formations, motions, routes, protections, cadences, and huddle mechanics remain intact—though Morton’s voice and some wrinkles stand out as new elements. According to Goff, “a lot of the stuff we’re doing … is the same, and some of it’s new … the transition … is a lot lesser than you guys are making it seem” :. Goff framed the process as a fun challenge that, while different in delivery, preserves continuity for players accustomed to the prior system. He said Morton “just sounds different in my ear … We’re running a lot of the same stuff … it’s been a good process” :. Morton, who served as the Lions’ senior offensive assistant in 2022 before two seasons as a passing-game coordinator with Denver, returns to Detroit equipped to sustain and evolve the offense without an abrupt overhaul :. The quarterback noted the inherent complexity in any offensive schematic—covering formation shifts, pre-snap motion, route design, protection schemes, huddle cadence among other components—but made clear that the core framework remains recognizable to returning players :. Meanwhile, Lions head coach Dan Campbell and coordinator Morton have emphasized a formula built on “recognize, communicate, execute” (RCE)—a philosophy Goff shares as essential for game-day consistency and split-second decision-making :. Training camp has also seen the Lions’ secondary present rigorous coverage packages—featuring playmakers like Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold—that have tested Goff during practice and accelerated the assimilation of Morton’s system under live fire. Goff welcomed the sharp competition, saying that practicing against some of the league’s top defenders is beneficial for timing, anticipation and reading coverage adjustments :. The broader context frames the transition as part of Detroit’s offensive continuity: under Ben Johnson from 2022–24, the Lions led the NFL in scoring, culminating in a 564‑point season and franchise best 15‑2 record in 2024, before an unexpected playoff loss in the Divisional Round. Morton inherits not only Goff but an elite supporting roster including Amon‑Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs—talent poised to thrive under a system that balances familiarity with inventive call structures :. Analysts view Morton’s promotion as a deliberate choice for in-house continuity; his familiarity with the Lions’ offense and existing rapport with Goff reduces disruption risk. Goff praised Morton’s arrival, adding that the quarterback room “feels confident” and the learning curve is minimal compared to introducing entirely new systems used by other teams switching coordinators :. Off-season coverage from media like SI and Beat reporters in Detroit underscored Goff’s consistent message: questions about a steep learning curve are overblown, with much of the offense carrying over intact and new innovations layered thoughtfully rather than overhauling the playbook :. Supporters point to Morton's prior role on staff, noting that having served under the same coaching regime gives continuity in scheme philosophy and communication. That internal relationship has smoothed meetings, installs and play-calling fit even as Morton steps into his first full season as OC :. The quarterback emphasized that adopting Morton’s system feels comparable to how other teams update systems year to year—not a radical overhaul—calling the process “a fun challenge” and “a lot of fun” overall :. Goff’s confidence signals stability for Detroit’s offense, which had ranked among the league’s most explosive units. With benefits from consistency in scheme and excellent personnel alignment, Detroit seeks to repeat or exceed its 2024 output despite coordinator change. Moving forward, final verdict will rest on how effectively the offense performs in regular season and how alignment with Morton’s adjustments translates into continuity in production. For now, Goff’s outlook provides reassurance that the transition has been smoother than media speculation suggested, maintaining the identity and momentum that energized Detroit’s resurgence. Ultimately, Jared Goff sees the Lions offense building on past success—in familiar structure, renewed voice, and shared momentum—under John Morton’s leadership, as the team pursues another deep playoff run.