8:00pm: When speaking after his team’s 44-22 win, Campbell said (via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard) he decided to make the change following last week’s game. Morton was still involved in handling the offense in Week 10, though. Campbell added this situation is different from that of 2021, the year in which he permanently took over play-calling duties from Anthony Lynn midway through the campaign.
6:33pm: Leading up to Week 10, there were questions about a potential change in terms of how the Lions would operate on offense. For at least one game, head coach Dan Campbell is handling play-calling duties. 
“I’ve got a million ideas,” Campbell said last week when speaking about his team’s offense (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). “And I believe it’s going to work this week. And if it doesn’t, then I’ve got another idea. I’ve got plenty. We’ll get this thing going.”
Entering Sunday’s game, the Lions ranked fourth in the NFL in scoring but only 12th in terms of yards per game. Middling production through the air led to talk about new offensive coordinator John Morton being stripped of play-calling duties. Garafolo was among those who noticed Campbell appeared to be handling those duties, although the fifth-year head coach regularly consults a callsheet even when that is not the case.
When speaking to Fox Sports’ Megan Olivi at halftime, Campbell confirmed he has assumed the role of play-caller for today’s game. He noted the team simply wanted to “change things up,” and it will be interesting to see if that setup continues moving forward. Campbell called plays early in his Lions tenure.
Those responsibilities were shouldered by Ben Johnson during his three-year tenure as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. His success in that role made him one of the league’s top head coaching candidates, and Johnson took charge of the Bears this offseason. Campbell and the Lions looked internally to replace DC Aaron Glenn by promoting Kelvin Shephard to that spot, but Morton was brought in as an outside hire following his two seasons working alongside Sean Payton in Denver.
The Lions have enjoyed a very strong outing against the Commanders, a team which has been reeling as of late. Still, that level of success could lead Campbell to carry on calling plays moving forward. Otherwise, Morton will be tasked with building on Detroit’s momentum and in doing so putting to rest doubts about his status.
If Campbell really called the plays this game that is dang impressive. Balanced run and pass beautifully…I always liked Campbell, but if he is truly a defensive minded coach to call an offensive game like that is formidable. Detroit has a generational coach and should be excited.
He was a TE for 10 years and a TE coach for 8 years so I’m sure he’s pretty knowledgeable on that side of the ball 🤣
Ok thx, for some reason I thought he was a defensive minded coach. Maybe his stint as the Saints coach has my thinking skewed…either way he’s one of the best right now.
Might be getting Dan Quinn (Commanders defensive minded head coach) and Dan Cambell mixed up… I have done that a couple times
No I’m a Falcons fan, trust me when I say I’m not getting the 2 confused at all lol…I was just trying to throw some love to Campbell and some jealousy tbh
Campbell took over plany calling from his first OC in year one when the offense was stalled. Johnson was elevated to OC the following year and it was wondered if Campbell would continue to call plays, but he turned that over to Johnson, who proved to be pretty good at it.
It could work, but they also played Commanders. Going to be much tougher in the games against better teams. His constant aggressive going for it cost them the Super Bowl trip a couple of years ago vs 9ers.
Hope it is temporary. I’d rather a head coach be the head coach.
Granted Washington’s defense isn’t great but they scored 44 points today. If they can do that, let him call the plays.