The Lions’ offense is getting a fresh look in 2025, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs is about to become a much bigger weapon in the passing game. New offensive coordinator John Morton – who steps in for the departed Ben Johnson – has big plans for Detroit’s explosive back, with a scheme that’ll have him lining up all over the field.
“I gotta learn the formations for being split out,” Gibbs explained while speaking to reporters. “I’m being split out like way more than I was the past two years. That’s good. That’s going to be fun. I’ve been waiting on that.”
Morton’s Blueprint for Detroit’s Attack
Morton isn’t just replacing Johnson – he’s reimagining how this Lions offense operates. While Johnson built his game plans around a balanced, physical approach that leaned heavily on the run, Morton sees something different. He’s planning to unleash a more diverse attack that creates nightmares for defensive coordinators trying to prepare for Detroit each week.
The key difference? Gibbs won’t just be taking handoffs anymore.
Under the new system, expect to see #26 lined up in the slot, split wide, or motioning across formations to create the mismatches that keep defensive coordinators up at night. It’s a bold strategy that could either cement Morton’s reputation as an offensive genius or put him squarely in the crosshairs if things go south.
Johnson’s offense already gave opponents headaches, finishing among the league’s most productive units. Morton clearly isn’t interested in just maintaining that success – he wants to take it to another level by maximizing every bit of Gibbs’ versatility.
Gibbs: The Ultimate Weapon
After a breakout 2024 season where Gibbs racked up 1,412 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, you might think Morton would just feed him more carries. Instead, he’s looking to build on the back’s 52 catches, 517 receiving yards, and 4 TD receptions by making him an even bigger factor in the passing game.
What makes Gibbs so special is his rare combination of skills. He’s got the acceleration to break away from linebackers, the hands of a receiver, and the vision to find running lanes that others miss. Those traits made him nearly unstoppable out of the backfield last season.
Now he’s learning an expanded route tree and mastering formations that will have him lining up all over the field.
The Make-or-Break Gamble
If this works, Morton will be the NFL’s next coaching star.
A successful implementation would give Detroit an offense that keeps defenses guessing on every snap. Linebackers would be forced to choose between protecting against the run or covering Gibbs in space – a lose-lose proposition either way. Safeties would need to decide whether to provide help against the deep ball to Jameson Williams or account for Gibbs breaking free on wheel routes and option patterns.
But there’s plenty that could go wrong. Expanding Gibbs’ role means more hits on a player who’s already handling a significant workload. If defenses figure out how to counter Morton’s scheme and the offense sputters, fans won’t be patient – especially after the success they witnessed under Johnson.
Morton’s approach is high-risk, high-reward. In a city that’s finally tasted playoff success and expects more, he’s putting his reputation on the line with a system that’s centered around turning a running back into something more.
Whether that makes him a genius or a scapegoat will depend entirely on the results.