 Morton with theUSC Trojans in 2008 | |
| Denver Broncos | |
|---|---|
| Title | Offensive consultant |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1969-09-24)September 24, 1969 (age 56) Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 186 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Avondale(Auburn Hills, Michigan) |
| College | Western Michigan |
| NFL draft | 1993: undrafted |
| Position | Wide receiver |
| Career history | |
Playing | |
| |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Coaching | |
| |
| Coaching profile atPro Football Reference | |
John Morton (born September 24, 1969) is an American professionalfootball coach and former player who is currently an offensive consultant for theDenver Broncos of theNational Football League (NFL). He previously served as the passing game coordinator for the Broncos from 2023 to 2024, and was theDetroit Lionsoffensive coordinator in 2025.
Morton also previously served as a senior offensive assistant coach for theNew York Jets,New Orleans Saints,San Francisco 49ers,Las Vegas Raiders and atUSC.
Morton playedcollege football atWestern Michigan, where he was a wide receiver. He played wide receiver professionally for theCanadian Football LeagueToronto Argonauts and on the practice squads of theOakland Raiders andGreen Bay Packers.[1]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Vertical jump |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft11+7⁄8 in (1.83 m) | 186 lb (84 kg) | 31+1⁄4 in (0.79 m) | 9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) | 4.39 s | 1.55 s | 2.59 s | 4.30 s | 36.5 in (0.93 m) |
After ending his playing career in 1997, Morton began working for theNational Football League'sOakland Raiders, initially in the personnel department for one season. In 1998, he took a coaching position in the organization, originally as an offensive assistant working with wide receivers, and eventually was promoted to senior offensive assistant on a team that made it toSuper Bowl XXXVII underhead coachBill Callahan. After another year at the position, he was elevated toTight Ends Coach for the 2004 season under new Raiders head coachNorv Turner.[1]
In 2005, he joinedJim Harbaugh's staff at theUniversity of San Diego, aD-IAA college program, where he coached the passing game and wide receivers for a squad that went 11–1–0 and won thePioneer Football League Championship.
In 2006, Morton was hired by theNew Orleans Saints as their passing game coordinator and offensive assistant under head coachSean Payton, who advanced to the2006 NFC Championship game.
In 2007, Morton joined theUniversity of Southern California (USC) as their passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Whenoffensive coordinatorSteve Sarkisian accepted a head coaching position withWashington, Morton was interviewed by head coachPete Carroll as a candidate for the position.[2] As expected, Morton eventually got the job.[3] In 2010, Morton was retained as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach under head coachLane Kiffin.
In 2011, Morton was hired as a wide receiver coach under head coachJim Harbaugh.
In 2014, Morton was hired as a wide receiver coach under head coachSean Payton.
In 2017, Morton was hired by theNew York Jets as their offensive coordinator under head coachTodd Bowles. On January 17, 2018, Morton was subsequently fired.[4]
In February 2019, Morton was hired by theOakland Raiders as a senior offensive assistant under head coachJon Gruden.
In 2022, Morton was hired by theDetroit Lions as a senior offensive assistant under head coachDan Campbell.
On February 26, 2023, Morton was hired by theDenver Broncos as their passing game coordinator, reuniting with head coachSean Payton.[5]
Morton was heavily credited for helping enhance the development of rookie quarterbackBo Nix. His pass design was praised for helping Nix become more confident in finding defensive holes and building chemistry with his receivers.
On January 30, 2025, Morton was hired by theDetroit Lions as their offensive coordinator, replacingBen Johnson, after his departure to become head coach of theChicago Bears.[6] On November 16, Morton was relieved of his duties as offensive playcaller with head coach Dan Campbell assuming the role for the remainder of the season.[7] On January 6, 2026, Morton was fired by the Lions after one season.[8]
On January 17, 2026, it was announced that Morton had re-joined the Denver Broncos' staff for the postseason as a consultant.[9]
Morton has two daughters, Tierney and Sage.