The Detroit Lions still need an offensive coordinator for the 2026 season, but they may have their pick from some intriguing options.
The Lions fired offensive coordinator John Morton on Jan. 6 after Morton spent just one season leading Detroit’s offense. Morton’s firing comes one year after previous offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left the Lions to become coach of the Chicago Bears, leading them to an NFC North title and divisional-round loss in his first season in 2025.
Advertisement
Detroit hoped that Morton, who was previously with the team as a senior offensive assistant in 2022, would fill Johnson’s big shoes. Instead, the offense regressed from its league-best marks in 2024 as the team went 9-8 and missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2022 season.
That has led to Lions general manager Brad Holmes, who has recently stuck with internal hires at both coordinator positions during his tenure atop the Lions, to consider outside candidates for the offensive coordinator job.
Here’s a look at six coaches the Lions could consider as top candidates for the role and updates on their candidacy.
Mike McDaniel: Interviewing
Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniels talks with the wide receivers during joint practice with the Detroit Lions at the Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.
DAVE BIRKETT’S FINAL GRADES: Dan Campbell doesn’t deserve F for playoff miss
Advertisement
Mike McDaniel, the recently fired coach of the Miami Dolphins, is likely the top candidate to replace Morton, based on the early interest the Lions have shown the offensive expert.
McDaniel coached the Dolphins from 2022-25, leading Miami to back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two seasons but languishing with sub-.500 seasons in 2024 and 2025. His offensive scheme has been highly sought-after since he was the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, making him a serious candidate for an open head coaching position.
But it seems like the interest between the Lions and McDaniel is at least a little bit mutual. The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Monday, Jan. 12, that the Lions are interviewing McDaniel for the offensive coordinator role, though McDaniel will also be interviewing for open coaching positions with the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if McDaniel chooses a coaching job over a coordinator job, even with a coordinator position as attractive as Detroit’s. And if he does, the Lions still have a few interesting candidates to pivot to.
Advertisement
Scottie Montgomery: No word yet
Detroit Lions assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery celebrates a touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers scored by wide receiver Isaac Teslaa (18) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.
If the Lions decide to promote someone from within, the candidate that probably makes the most sense is assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery.
Montgomery has been with the Lions since 2023 and has served as both the running backs coach (2023-24) and the wide receivers coach (2025). The 47-year-old has served as an offensive coordinator at two colleges (Duke from 2014-15 and Maryland from 2019-20) while taking on big responsibilities with a star-studded backfield and receivers room in Detroit.
Montgomery also interviewed for the offensive coordinator position in 2024, with the Lions ultimately settling on Morton to replace Johnson. That might show that the Lions don’t think Montgomery is quite ready yet, but if the team’s preferred external candidates (especially McDaniel) commit elsewhere, Detroit might turn to Montgomery to lead the offense.
Advertisement
David Blough: Hired by Commanders
Nov 13, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Washington Commanders assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough (left) and quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (8) and Josh Johnson (14) throw the ball during practice at Ciudad Deportiva del Real Madrid. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Former Lions’ backup quarterback David Blough was likely considered for Detroit’s offensive coordinator position after the Lions fired Morton, and there were plenty of reasons why. Blough had previously been with the Lions as a backup quarterback from 2019-21 and has a relationship with current Lions quarterback Jared Goff.
But then the Commanders named Blough their offensive coordinator on Jan. 9, three days after firing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. That officially closes the door on Blough, but potentially opens the door on someone else who recently coached with the Commanders.
Advertisement
Kliff Kingsbury: No word yet
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury speaks at a press conference Nov. 13, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
So, does Blough’s hiring make Kingsbury a potential replacement for Morton?
Like McDaniel, Kingsbury is considered an offensive specialist, has NFL head coaching experience and is interviewing for open coaching jobs. But his star has dimmed a little since coaching the Arizona Cardinals from 2019-22. And while he led a top-five scoring offense in Washington (at 28.5 points per game) in 2024, that mark fell to 21st (20.9 points per game) in 2025, much of it played without star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
There hasn’t been any reported connections between Kingsbury and the Lions’ offensive coordinator role yet, as it seems Kingsbury is exploring coaching options, first. But don’t be surprised to see his name come up more, especially if McDaniel chooses to coach elsewhere.
Advertisement
Brian Daboll: No word yet
Though Brian Daboll coached the New York Giants from 2022-25, his 20-40-1 overall record likely prevents him from being a top candidate for a coaching role anytime soon. His extensive experience as an offensive coordinator, however, could make him an interesting candidate for the Lions to consider.
Daboll has been the offensive coordinator at four NFL stops: the Cleveland Browns (2009-10), Miami Dolphins (2011), Kansas City Chiefs (2012) and Buffalo Bills (2018-21), where he helped develop Josh Allen into a perennial MVP candidate.
Daboll and Lions coach Dan Campbell spent one season together with the Miami Dolphins in 2011, and Daboll has a Michigan connection as a graduate assistant with Michigan State in 1998-99 under then-coach Nick Saban. But like with Kingsbury, there’s been no word yet on whether the Lions are showing interest in Daboll.
Advertisement
Hank Fraley: No word yet
Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley watches a play against Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.
In a December news conference, Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley expressed an interest in becoming an offensive coordinator down the line, but insisted he was focusing on becoming a better offensive line coach.
Per our Lions insider Dave Birkett, Fraley could be a fit if Campbell wants to keep the play-calling duties while Fraley focuses on the offensive line and run game. And like Montgomery, Fraley is already taking on heavy responsibilities in the offense as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator.
But Fraley’s line-first focus might not make him an ideal choice, even if the Lions find ways to work around it.
Advertisement
Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports!Â
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions’ OC search continues with Mike McDaniel interviewing