CBS Sports Rumor Suggests Lions Could Target Division Rival for New Offensive Coordinator
The Detroit Lions are heading into a critical offseason filled with key choices, and one of the biggest questions revolves around the future of their offensive coordinator position.

After former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left Detroit to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears, the Lions turned to John Morton to run the offense. However, Morton’s first year in the role did not go as planned. Struggles on offense led to him losing play-calling responsibilities partway through the season, with head coach Dan Campbell stepping in instead.

Given the team’s offensive regression and failure to reach the playoffs, Morton’s job security appears shaky as Detroit begins offseason evaluations.
NFL insider Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports that league insiders expect Detroit to pursue a different play-caller in 2026.

Jones also suggested the Lions could potentially look to Johnson’s current coaching staff in Chicago for a replacement.
According to Jones, there is growing belief around the league that Campbell will search for a new offensive coordinator and may attempt to hire someone from Johnson’s Bears staff just one year after Johnson left Detroit.
One possible candidate is Chicago offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

While Doyle holds that title, Johnson still handles play-calling duties for the Bears. That situation could make Doyle interested in a role elsewhere where he would have full control of the offense. However, Chicago would be able to prevent Detroit from interviewing him, since it would be considered a lateral move.
If Detroit did pursue Doyle, it’s widely expected the Bears would block any attempt to speak with him.

That said, there are other coaches on Chicago’s staff who Detroit could interview without restriction. Those include quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett, assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy.

Among that group, Bieniemy stands out as the only coach with prior experience as an offensive coordinator. He previously held that role with both the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders, and also ran offenses at the college level, including a stint at Colorado.
Randle El and Barrett both have past connections to Detroit.

Randle El spent several seasons on the Lions’ coaching staff before joining Johnson in Chicago in 2025, serving as Detroit’s wide receivers coach from 2021 through 2024 after beginning his coaching career in Tampa Bay.
Barrett also worked with the Lions previously, starting as an offensive assistant in 2022 and later becoming assistant quarterbacks coach before following Johnson to the Bears.

Because of their familiarity with the organization, Randle El and Barrett may be more realistic options than Bieniemy if the Lions decide to move on from Morton. Still, Bieniemy’s experience running an offense keeps him firmly in the conversation.
With the offseason fast approaching, clarity on Detroit’s plans should arrive sooner rather than later.