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Lions Make Big Hire to Help Jared Goff After Losing Ben Johnson

The Lions have reportedly hired former Stanford head coach David Shaw as their new passing game coordinator.

By Jovan Alford

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) waits for the snap in the first half against the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) waits for the snap in the first half against the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. / Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The Detroit Lions hired a familiar face earlier this week, naming former Denver Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton as the new offensive coordinator. Morton is taking over for Ben Johnson, who became the Chicago Bears head coach days after the Lions’ playoff loss to the Washington Commanders.

With Morton now in control, his job is to put the best staff around him, as Detroit tries to have one of the best offensive units in the league next season. The 55-year-old coach hasn’t wasted time putting his staff together as he’s bringing in an accomplished coach from the college ranks.

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Lions have agreed to terms on a multi-year deal with former Stanford head coach David Shaw to become the team’s new passing game coordinator.

The 52-year-old Shaw will take over Tanner Engstrand, who has been linked to the New York Jets offensive coordinator vacancy. Engstrand has been the passing game coordinator for the last two years and has been with the organization since 2021.

Shaw most recently interviewed for the Bears offensive coordinator position. However, Chicago hired former Denver Broncos tight ends coach Declan Doyle. Nonetheless, Shaw will get to work with Lions starting quarterback Jared Goff.

Goff had a rough end to the 2024 season, tossing three interceptions to only one touchdown in the frustrating playoff loss to the Commanders. However, his overall performance in 2024 was good. 

The veteran quarterback completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 4,629 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Lions fans will hope to see a similar performance in 2025, but he’ll need Shaw and Morton to continue to coach him up.

Before taking this job with the Lions, Shaw was a senior personnel executive with the Denver Broncos this season, hence the connection with Morton.

Shaw also spent 16 seasons as a head coach and offensive coordinator at Stanford, where he won Pac-12 Coach of the Year four times. As for his NFL experience, the former college coach has worked for the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens.

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