The Detroit Lions may have found the offensive spark they were looking for — and it came with a familiar voice in the quarterback’s headset.

Head coach Dan Campbell took over offensive play-calling duties from coordinator John Morton in Sunday’s 546-yard explosion against the Washington Commanders, marking a significant midseason adjustment that immediately paid off.

“I just wanted to try something a little different,” Campbell said after the game. “We’ve been searching for a rhythm, especially in the run game. This was about getting the offense back on track — nothing more, nothing less.”

Campbell was seen holding the play sheet and relaying calls directly to quarterback Jared Goff throughout the first half, as Detroit scored on all but one possession before the break. The move appeared to catch Washington off guard, with a balanced attack that leaned heavily on tempo and misdirection — hallmarks of Campbell’s previous play-calling stint in 2021.

#Lions’ Dan Campbell says he decided to take over offensive playcalling after last week’s loss. Said he had an honest conversation with OC John Morton, but he’ll need him going forward. “John is vital to me,” Campbell said. It’s not a situation like 2021, he says. pic.twitter.com/3Iad9p7GJS

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 10, 2025

The Lions entered Week 10 struggling offensively, particularly in early-down efficiency and red zone execution. Those frustrations led Campbell to take a more hands-on approach, something he’s done before when the team’s rhythm faltered.

Still, the head coach emphasized that the change doesn’t diminish Morton’s role.

“John’s still heavily involved,” Campbell noted. “We all collaborate — it’s not a one-man show. He’s a big part of what we’re doing in the passing game.”

The timing of the switch raised eyebrows around the league, but the results spoke loudly. Goff looked more decisive, the offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs thrived in space — all signs that Detroit had rediscovered its offensive identity.

Campbell’s decision echoes his first season in charge, when he briefly assumed play-calling duties from then–offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn. That stretch also saw an uptick in production and eventually laid the groundwork for Ben Johnson’s rise to the coordinator role.

Whether this is a temporary tweak or a long-term shift remains to be seen, but for now, Campbell’s fingerprints are firmly back on the Lions’ offense — and the results couldn’t have come at a better time.