Mile High Report
According to ESPN’s lead NFL insider, Adam Schefter, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton has rejoined the Denver Broncos staff as a consultant for the postseason. Morton worked with Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton with the Saints, and previously with the Broncos as their pass game coordinator.
John Morton followed Sean Payton to Denver and served as his pass game coordinator starting in 2023 through the 2024 season. Due to the success of rookie quarterback Bo Nix, Morton received some interest from around the league and was hired by the Detroit Lions to be their offensive coordinator and to replace Ben Johnson, who was hired to be the head coach of the Chicago Bears.
With Morton leaving, the Broncos promoted up-and-coming offensive coach Davis Webb to pass game coordinator while also keeping his quarterback coach job title as well. Fast forward a year later, the Broncos are 14-3, the 1 seed in the AFC, and Webb is now getting multiple head coaching interviews and is expected at the very least to be an offensive coordinator elsewhere next season. Meanwhile, Morton had big shoes to fill in Detroit and struggled to repeat the success that Ben Johnson had with that offense, and eventually handed over play-calling duties to Lions head coach Dan Campbell. Once the season ended, the Lions, as expected, moved on from Morton and are in the market for another offensive coordinator.
With Webb likely getting a job elsewhere this offseason, I would anticipate Morton returning to the Broncos as the pass game coordinator once again. He has plenty of history with head coach Sean Payton, has worked with quarterback Bo Nix, and this consultant role is just the first step to returning to the Denver Broncos coaching staff.
With defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, pass game coordinator/QB coach Davis Webb, and assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard having multiple interviews with other teams, the Broncos coaching staff may look a bit different next season. If Webb leaves, which is expected, look for Morton to take off as the pass game coordinator, along with multiple other key changes happening to the Denver Broncos coaching staff.
