LANDOVER, Md. — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell took over playcalling duties from first-year offensive coordinator John Morton this previous week, and it ignited a dominant 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
Campbell mentioned he met with Morton for an sincere dialog to debate some modifications final Monday, a day after a surprising dwelling loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Coming into Sunday’s recreation, Detroit ranked among the many league leaders in whole factors per recreation however was nonetheless struggling to seek out an offensive identification exterior of the house run performs.
“Look, it was sincere, it was he and I and we had been good,” Campbell mentioned of the assembly. “And like I advised him, ‘Man I want you … however I really feel like that is one thing that I am gonna do.’
“Hear, John Morton’s all crew. That is all he cares about. He simply desires to win. He desires to be part of it. He desires to assist the place he can, and he was excellent at this time.
“He is a grinder, he is a employee and he simply tries to assist and offer you something you’ll be able to presumably want for the sport. Look, for those who’re him, after all it in all probability does not really feel too good however he is additionally a professional and he understands every little thing so we transfer on.”
The Commanders upset the top-seeded Lions within the NFC divisional spherical final January. Within the rematch, Detroit obtained revenge, scoring on eight consecutive offensive drives with Campbell drawing up the performs.
Campbell was noticed on the sideline carrying eyeglasses whereas speaking into the headset in between performs with a play sheet in his arms. He mentioned he was so centered on the duty that he did not discover President Donald Trump in attendance.
“I am on this place and I did not know what is going on on round me half the time,” he mentioned. “So, it was both protection was on the market or I am making an attempt to get the performs prepared, so I did not even know. However that is cool. Now, that I do know he was positively right here, you are speaking in regards to the President of the USA, that is a giant deal.”
Broad receiver Jameson Williams seemingly benefitted from the change, ending with six receptions for a team-high 119 yards and a landing. The more-involved Williams hadn’t eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark since Week 2 in opposition to the Chicago Bears (108 receiving yards).
“It was form of humorous seeing him with the glasses, for certain,” Williams mentioned, laughing. “It was like my first or second time seeing him with the glasses. It is a completely different search for certain.”
Issues appeared completely different on the sphere, too, as Detroit racked up a season-high 226 speeding yards and 546 whole yards.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff mentioned the preparation for Sunday’s matchup did not really feel any completely different through the observe week, as Morton continued to serve a giant function, significantly within the go recreation, which Campbell nonetheless feels is important.
“You have to give Johnny a ton of credit score for dealing with it the best way he dealt with it as a veteran coach, and a man who has proven to haven’t any ego time and again,” mentioned Goff, who went 25-for-33 with 320 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. “Wish to have that occur and for him to not miss a beat within the recreation planning and serving to me and the passing recreation and the entire thing was actually cool and spectacular by him, and all of it labored rather well collectively this week.”
Lions operating again Jahmyr Gibbs additionally bounced again from a career-low 28 scrimmage yards on a season-low 12 touches in Week 9 in opposition to Minnesota with a season-high three scrimmage touchdowns on 18 touches.
“It was simply, ‘let’s strive one thing slightly completely different,'” Campbell mentioned. “Look, I do know what I need to do. I understand how I need to do it. Now, that being mentioned, it is a collaborative effort now. I used to be taking enter from John Morton that complete time, and the opposite coaches.”
Campbell beforehand took over playcalling duties from former offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn in 2021 following a 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. Lynn in the end was changed by Ben Johnson that offseason.
Goff and Campbell, nevertheless, insist this situation is completely different.
“I do not relate these two the identical even remotely,” Goff mentioned. “We had been 0-8 when that occurred and 5-3 when this occurred and it was fully completely different circumstances.”
Added Campbell: “I understand how the opposite one ended, however that is the place I am at, and he is in an awesome spot and he helped me out at this time.”
After Johnson left the Lions for the Bears head-coaching job this previous offseason, Campbell admitted he thought-about calling the offensive performs earlier than he employed Morton however realized it will require so much from him as a head coach. Now, he is primed to hold the twin roles for the foreseeable future because the Lions enter a troublesome November stretch that features a highway journey to Philadelphia subsequent week.
“It is like anything, once you do it, you regulate and also you begin determining what it’s worthwhile to do, how it’s worthwhile to do it, grow to be extra environment friendly and it is actually in the end about what’s proper for the crew all the time,” Campbell mentioned. “Nothing else issues.
“I really feel good with the place we’re at. I wasn’t good. (Jared) Goff bailed me out of some stuff at this time, however I just like the setup of the workers, and I feel the gamers are in a great place and I feel we are able to develop from right here,” he mentioned. “I actually do.”