3 Lions on Thin Ice With John Morton as Offensive Coordinator

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and guard Graham Glasgow (60) walk down the tunnel before the game against Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and guard Graham Glasgow (60) walk down the tunnel before the game against Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Detroit Lions established themselves as one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL in the past two years. But with Ben Johnson’s departure to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears, it represents a new era under new offensive coordinator John Morton.

Morton isn’t completely unfamiliar with the Lions as he worked with Johnson as an offensive consultant during the 2022 season. His offense is also similar to the one he oversaw as the Denver Broncos passing game coordinator last season.

The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy highlighted that Morton’s offense highlights a tendency to throw the ball downfield and create balance with a mix of play-action. While those strengths may create opportunities for some on Detroit’s roster, it may also put other players on thin ice as Morton takes over next season.

Allen Robinson

The Lions added some veteran experience to their roster toward the end of training camp when they signed Allen Robinson II and Tim Patrick to the practice squad. Robinson had the name recognition as a former Pro Bowler but it was Patrick who took off and carved out a role on the active roster, catching 33 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns.

If the Lions are deciding between Patrick and Robinson for a spot on next year’s roster, Patrick’s previous experience working with Morton as a member of the Broncos could help him out. But Patrick could also have an advantage based on what Pouncy said about Morton’s desire to push the ball downfield.

“If you look at the Broncos offense in 2024, you’ll find a few clues,” Pouncy wrote. “Of Denver’s pass attempts last season, 22.3 percent of them traveled 15 or more air yards and 13 percent traveled 20 or more air yards per TruMedia. Both of those marks were the ninth-highest in the NFL.

“As for the Lions, just 18.5 percent of Detroit’s pass attempts traveled 15 or more air yards (25th in the NFL) and only eight percent traveled 20 or more air yards.”

Pouncy mentioned that good coaching staffs adapt to their talent, meaning the screens that David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs thrived on and the short passes that fueled Amon-Ra St. Brown probably aren’t going anywhere. But it could be more relevant when it comes to which receivers stick on the roster.

With St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond as locks heading into next season, Patrick and Robinson could be battling for a spot. While Patrick averaged an average depth of target (aDOT) of 11.6 yards, Robinson only managed 7.3. Patrick also had an advantage in yards per route run with 1.15 compared to Robinson’s 0.71.

It could signal the end for Robinson’s once promising career and have him losing his job to Patrick or a draft pick this spring.