Broncos Coaching Shake-Up: Inside the Crazy Offseason That Shuffled the Deck in Denver
The Denver Broncos didn’t just go through a few changes this offseason—they experienced a full-blown coaching exodus. In total, nine staff members packed up and left Dove Valley, and among the most notable departures was pass game coordinator John Morton. His exit made some noise, especially since it marked a return to familiar ground for him—back to Detroit, where his NFL journey recently brought him full circle.
If you're wondering how that move went down, it was a mix of business and personal ties. Morton, 55, originally came to the Broncos in 2023 after serving time with the Detroit Lions. Fast-forward to spring 2025, and he’s back in the Motor City, but this time, he's got a much bigger gig—offensive coordinator. And his old friend, Broncos head coach Sean Payton, had nothing but high praise and good humor about it all.
🔥 What Happened? Let’s Break It Down:
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John Morton leaves Denver to become OC for the Lions
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Denver loses a total of 9 staffers this offseason
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Sean Payton jokes about the coaching carousel: “Every time I leave town, we lose someone.”
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Morton’s return to Detroit keeps their offensive system intact, helping Jared Goff and Co. stay comfortable
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Denver is now fully reloaded with fresh coaching talent for the 2025 season
Morton's reunion with Lions head coach Dan Campbell is what really closed the deal. According to Payton, it was an easy decision once Campbell gave him a call. “When Dan calls me on ‘Johnny Mo’ and he’s going to be the play caller, I’m like, ‘He’ll be excited.’ I’m excited for him,” Payton shared back in March. It wasn’t just about friendship—it was about continuity, trust, and familiarity with the playbook that QB Jared Goff already knows well.
“You’re talking about a guy who is the first one in the building and the last one out,” Payton said. “Johnny is a tremendous worker.” That kind of dedication doesn’t go unnoticed in NFL circles, and it’s part of what made him such a natural fit to take the reins in Detroit’s offensive room.
😅 Payton's Lighthearted Take on the Staff Departures
Payton didn’t try to sugarcoat it—losing nine coaches is no small hit to any team. But rather than wallow in frustration, he found a little humor in the situation. “I swear, every time I left town, we lost another coach,” he laughed. “So I started trying not to leave town.”
It's a rare candid moment that shows the human side of being an NFL head coach. Between the recruiting, staff management, and X's and O's, sometimes all you can do is laugh when the dominoes start falling.
Despite the turnover, Payton isn’t salty about his former staff moving on. In fact, he seemed genuinely happy for them. “It’s good to see some of them here, like [Aaron] Glenn. It’s good to see them in these positions because those guys obviously were loyal and worked extremely hard for me at one point. So it’s good to see.”
That kind of leadership—supporting your people even after they move on—is part of what makes Payton respected around the league.
🎯 Why Morton’s Move Matters
Let’s be real: John Morton heading to Detroit isn’t just about one coach swapping logos—it’s a strategic power move for the Lions. Continuity is everything in today’s NFL. Goff doesn’t have to learn a new language, receivers don’t have to recalibrate their timing, and the entire offense can keep building on the momentum it had. That’s huge.
For the Broncos, though, it meant yet another puzzle piece to replace. But Payton didn’t sit on his hands. He wasted no time restocking the shelves, rebuilding Denver’s coaching staff with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars heading into the 2025 campaign.
🧠 The NFL Is a Small World
Morton’s departure and Payton’s reaction also highlight something NFL fans don’t always get to see: just how tight-knit the coaching fraternity is. “Our industry is small,” Payton said. “All of these guys I feel like I’ve hired or worked with at some point.”
That’s the nature of the NFL coaching carousel. From assistant roles to coordinator gigs, relationships matter just as much as résumés. And when coaches like Dan Campbell pick up the phone, it’s not just business—it’s about trust.
🧩 What's Next for the Broncos?
So what does this mean for Denver moving forward? A lot, actually.
The Broncos are still in a bit of a rebuild mode. With Russell Wilson out and a new era dawning, consistency and leadership in the coaching staff are absolutely crucial. While losing nine staffers in one offseason sounds like chaos, the Broncos are betting that new blood will bring new energy.
Payton now has the challenge—and opportunity—of molding a new coaching identity. And if there’s any silver lining, it’s that his deep coaching tree keeps on branching out, even if that means some folks are climbing higher outside of Denver.
🚀 Looking Ahead: A New Chapter
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining one for the Broncos. After years of up-and-down performances and leadership changes, this fresh coaching group has a big task ahead. But they’re not walking into an empty room—Payton has laid the groundwork, and the vibe around Dove Valley is one of rebirth and resilience.
Broncos fans can take comfort in knowing their head coach isn't rattled by change—he’s used to it. And with each move, he's proven that he’s ready to adapt, evolve, and build again from the ground up.
💡 Final Thought
In a league where change is the only constant, what matters most is how a team responds to it. The Broncos may have lost nine staffers, but they gained something too—a chance to hit reset, bring in fresh perspectives, and retool for the future.
So yeah, the Broncos' offseason looked more like a coaching yard sale than a strategy session—but if history tells us anything, Sean Payton knows how to rebuild, and he’s already turned the page.
Buckle up, Denver. 2025 could be wild.
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