Sam LaPorta on Lions New OC John Morton: He is a ‘Sensible Thoughts’

Following a 15-2 season that led to ruins, which was a loss at residence to the Washington Commanders within the NFC divisional spherical following a first-round bye, the Detroit Lions’ teaching employees was raided.

Among the many outgoing faces was offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who turned the brand new head coach of the Chicago Bears. To exchange Johnson, the Lions introduced in Denver Broncos passing sport coordinator John Morton to be their new offensive coordinator.

Certainly one of Morton’s prime gamers, tight finish Sam LaPorta, is a big fan.

“[Our offense] could be a little bit bit completely different. Fortuitously, we stored a few our place coaches, particularly, our offensive line coach [Hank Fraley],” LaPorta stated about Detroit’s new teaching employees in an interview on “The Jim Rome Present.” “We promoted Hank Fraley to our run sport coordinator. So, lucky for me, we’ve the identical run sport system this yr, the identical verbiage, which, as you may think about, is quite a bit. However Johnny Mo, go sport coordinator his complete life. Sensible thoughts, I believe he is gonna name the offense nice.”

Previous to his two-year stint in Denver underneath head coach Sean Payton (2023-24), Morton was a senior offensive assistant with the Lions for the 2022 season. He held the identical position with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2019-21 and was the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets in 2017, preceded by a number of different assistant teaching stints. 

As for LaPorta, a Professional Bowler in his 2023 rookie marketing campaign, the tight finish totaled 60 receptions for 726 yards and 7 touchdowns final season. He ranked sixth amongst tight ends with a 79.1 receiving grade and tenth with a 73.8 total grade, based on Professional Soccer Focus.

Final season, Detroit’s offense was arguably the very best within the sport, because the Lions have been first within the NFL with 33.2 factors per sport, second with each 263.2 passing yards and 409.5 whole yards and sixth with 146.4 speeding yards. 5 of Detroit’s 11 offensive starters have been initially invited to the 2025 Professional Bowl Video games: quarterback Jared Goff, working again Jahmyr Gibbs, broad receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, sort out Penei Sewell and middle Frank Ragnow.

As for different departing coaches, the Lions misplaced defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who turned the top coach of the New York Jets, whereas line of defense coach Terrell Williams left to be the defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots. In the meantime, the Lions misplaced passing sport coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who turned the offensive coordinator for the Jets underneath Glenn, and broad receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett every adopted Johnson to the Bears.

This will likely be Morton’s second NFL offensive coordinator gig, beforehand holding the identical position for the Jets in 2017.

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, and comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised e-newsletter every day!