Denver Broncos Oddly Hire NFL Coach Who Just Got Fired Ahead Of Divisional Round vs. Bills

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton wasn’t out of work for long.

Following a disappointing 9-8 finish that saw them miss the playoffs, the Lions fired John Morton after one year as their offensive coordinator. 11 days later, Morton has received another to chase a Super Bowl ring.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton hired Morton as a consultant for the playoffs. The Broncos host the Buffalo Bills in Saturday’s Divisional Round clash at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Former Lions offensive coordinator John Morton, who worked with Sean Payton in New Orleans and in Denver, joined the Broncos this week as a consultant for the postseason, per sources. pic.twitter.com/DePBkke92q

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 17, 2026

Morton was the Broncos’ pass game coordinator under Payton in 2023 and 2024. The two previously worked together for the New Orleans Saints, too. Morton was the passing game coordinator and offensive assistant under Payton in 2006 and New Orleans’ wide receivers coach in 2015 and 2016.

The Lions’ decision to fire Morton was a bit surprising. Per Pro Football Reference, they finished fourth in scoring offense (28.3 points per game).

John Morton Gets To Chase His First Super Bowl Ring

Morton has had several close calls, but he has yet to win a Super Bowl despite more than two decades of coaching experience. He was on the Oakland Raiders’ staff when they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 37.

The 2006 Saints reached the NFC Championship Game, falling to the Chicago Bears. He was on the San Francisco 49ers’ staff under Jim Harbaugh, who reached three straight NFC title games from 2011 to 2013, including a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl 47.

The 56-year-old Morton now gets another chance to finally win that elusive ring.