BREAKING NEWS

Lions Name John Morton as Offensive Coordinator and Kelvin Sheppard as Defensive Coordinator

Lions Introduce John Morton as Offensive Coordinator, Kelvin Sheppard as Defensive Coordinator

The Detroit Lions have officially announced the addition of John Morton as their new offensive coordinator and the promotion of Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator.

The specific details of their contracts with the Lions have not been disclosed.

Morton, aged 55, will be taking over for Ben Johnson, who has moved on to become the head coach for the Chicago Bears.

Sheppard, aged 37, has been promoted from his previous role as linebackers coach to fill the position left by Aaron Glenn, who is now the head coach for the New York Jets.

During Johnson's time as offensive coordinator, the Lions had the top scoring offense in the NFL, averaging 33.2 points per game, and ranked second in total offense with 409.5 yards per game. The team also set franchise records for points (564) and regular-season wins (15).

While serving as the pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos, Morton helped the team finish 20th in the league in pass offense with an average of 212.4 yards per game and 25.0 points per game.

Morton previously worked with Lions quarterback Jared Goff during Johnson's first season as offensive coordinator. He also spent the 2022 season with the Lions as a senior offensive assistant before joining the Broncos in 2023. Morton is a native of Michigan.

When Glenn took over as the Lions' defensive coordinator in 2021, Sheppard joined the team and has spent the last four seasons learning from the former three-time Pro Bowl defensive back and 15-year NFL veteran.

Sheppard, who played linebacker for eight seasons in the NFL, including his final season with the Lions in 2018, was the director of player development at his alma mater LSU in 2020 before returning to Detroit.

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