The Detroit Lions’ offense became the main talking point following their dominant 44–22 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. In that matchup, head coach Dan Campbell made a notable adjustment — he took over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator John Morton. The move paid off in a big way: Detroit racked up 546 total yards, averaged 8.0 yards per play, and looked sharper than it had in weeks.

Campbell Confirms Collaborative Play-Calling

During his Monday media appearance, Campbell explained that although he handled the play sheet, the process was still collaborative. According to Campbell (via reporter @colton_pouncy), he took input from several assistants, including Morton, offensive line coach Hank Fraley, wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery, passing-game coordinator David Shaw, tight ends coach Tyler Roehl, and running backs coach Tashard Choice.

Later, Mike Payton of A to Z Sports noted that Campbell left the door open for Morton to resume full play-calling duties down the road. When asked if Morton could take over again, Campbell reportedly said, “Who knows? Maybe sooner.” That statement quickly grabbed the attention of Lions fans who had been wondering about the OC’s future.

Morton Still Has Campbell’s Support

While some fans interpreted Campbell’s comments as frustrating news, they actually suggest that Morton’s job is secure — at least for now. The coach clearly isn’t looking to move on from his offensive coordinator.

Morton’s situation stems partly from criticism following the Lions’ Week 9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, when the offense underperformed and several players reportedly voiced concerns. Morton’s postgame comments, which seemed to put responsibility on the players rather than the coaching staff, didn’t sit well in the locker room. That tension may have prompted Campbell to personally take control of the offense in Week 10.

Even so, Campbell emphasized that the offensive operation is still a group effort — one in which Morton continues to play a key role.

Offensive Improvements Under Campbell

It’s worth noting that Morton’s offense wasn’t entirely ineffective before the switch. Under his play-calling earlier in the season, Detroit scored 30 or more points in four games, showing that his system can still generate big plays. However, one consistent area of concern was third-down efficiency, where the Lions struggled to sustain drives.

That changed immediately under Campbell’s direction against Washington — the team converted 5 of 10 third-down opportunities, marking a noticeable step forward.

What’s Next for Detroit’s Play-Calling

For now, Campbell is expected to continue calling plays when the Lions face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football in Week 11, though Morton and the rest of the offensive staff will remain heavily involved in the process.

Whether Morton eventually regains full control of play-calling duties — possibly in 2025 — is still up in the air. Campbell made it clear, however, that his veteran coordinator isn’t going anywhere. He values Morton’s experience and input, even after making this temporary adjustment.

Campbell’s decision proved to be the right one for the moment, sparking a breakout offensive performance. But how long this setup lasts — and whether Morton’s role expands again — will remain one of the more intriguing storylines in Detroit as the season moves forward.