Pro Football Rumors
Leading up to Week 10, there were questions about a potential change in terms of how the Lions would operate on offense. For at least one game, head coach Dan Campbell is handling play-calling duties.
“I’ve got a million ideas,” Campbell said last week when speaking about his team’s offense (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). “And I believe it’s going to work this week. And if it doesn’t, then I’ve got another idea. I’ve got plenty. We’ll get this thing going.”
Entering Sunday’s game, the Lions ranked fourth in the NFL in scoring but only 12th in terms of yards per game. Middling production through the air led to talk about new offensive coordinator John Morton being stripped of play-calling duties. Garafolo was among those who noticed Campbell appeared to be handling those duties, although the fifth-year head coach regularly consults a callsheet even when that is not the case.
When speaking to Fox Sports’ Megan Olivi at halftime, Campbell confirmed he has assumed the role of play-caller for today’s game. He noted the team simply wanted to “change things up,” and it will be interesting to see if that setup continues moving forward. Campbell called plays early in his Lions tenure.
Those responsibilities were shouldered by Ben Johnson during his three-year tenure as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. His success in that role made him one of the league’s top head coaching candidates, and Johnson took charge of the Bears this offseason. Campbell and the Lions looked internally to replace DC Aaron Glenn by promoting Kelvin Shephard to that spot, but Morton was brought in as an outside hire following his two seasons working alongside Sean Payton in Denver.
The Lions have enjoyed a very strong outing against the Commanders, a team which has been reeling as of late. Still, that level of success could lead Campbell to carry on calling plays moving forward. Otherwise, Morton will be tasked with building on Detroit’s momentum and in doing so putting to rest doubts about his status.
