Lions OTAs observations: Jared Goff-John Morton relationship, more Jameson Williams hype

New York Times

2 days ago

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — It's a new year for the Detroit Lions. They have new players. They have new assistant coaches and coordinators. However, Dan Campbell remains the same. He's the constant variable for this franchise, with so many moving parts in this equation.
Talking to him for the first time in nearly two months, that was evident Friday. Campbell was on hand to discuss Detroit's offseason and OTA practices. He wants his team to have the same mentality it carried as its ascent to contender status began. One of his best traits is his ability to focus on what matters and get others to do the same.
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That's what he's tried to do this month. These OTA sessions, however limited, give Campbell and his staff a chance to evaluate what they have before the pads go on in training camp. And as disappointing as last year's abrupt finish was for this group, they've quickly moved on.
Campbell won't let them dwell, won't let them get complacent and won't let them think they're good enough to coast through a season.
'We've gotten to where we've gotten because we haven't been complacent and we have gone and put the work in again and done all the little things that you have to do to win games and win a division again,' Campbell said. 'And so, we got to do that all over again.'
OTA Week 1 💪 pic.twitter.com/XU5cBDvvgT
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 30, 2025
Much has been made of Detroit's 2025 schedule. They play 12 nationally televised games. They play the two Super Bowl teams — the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs — on the road. Seven of their nine road games come against 2024 playoff teams, while the other two — the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears — should be competitive in 2025. And the list of quarterbacks includes Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott.
They have their work cut out for them. And Campbell can't wait.
'I love the schedule we have this year because this is the type of schedule that builds you for the postseason,' Campbell said. 'Like, man, you better be on it. And we're going to get tested. Early and often and all year long, and it's freaking awesome. It's really how you want it. So, we'll be ready to go when the time's right.'
At this point, the Lions understand the regular season is just the precursor. They've had a 9-8 season, playing some of the best football in the league, only to fall short without a chance to prove themselves. They've gone 15-2, only to stumble at home in their first playoff game.
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Campbell and the Lions will take it week by week, but they see the value in having a tough schedule. In some ways, it makes your path to the playoffs more difficult. But if you've faced playoff-caliber teams before you meet them in playoffs, you don't have to prep as much as you normally would, and have a better feel for how they might look to attack you.
If the Lions are as good as they think they can be, this schedule will harden them and prepare them for the postseason. And remember: those teams have to play the Lions. That sentence has a different meaning now compared to past years, in part, because of Campbell's leadership. Perfect mentality to take into the season.
Speaking for the first time since the 2024 season ended, Goff was asked about the potential narratives to come, as life without Ben Johnson unfolds. His comments were, uh, pointed.
'Well, it won't be unless you guys write about it,' Goff said.
Fair enough, Jared. However, it is worth writing about — for a couple of reasons. The first: Campbell wants Goff to be as comfortable as possible. He identified Morton as a fit because of his work with Goff in 2022. It was a prerequisite for the job and something Campbell laid out before he started interviewing candidates. It's one of the most important relationships on the team, so it warrants some attention.
But while acknowledging that, we can also acknowledge that Goff isn't the same kid he was in Los Angeles, trying to live up to his No. 1 overall pedigree and keep a demanding coaching staff happy. He's matured. He's grown. He reads defenses better. He gets the Lions into good plays and out of bad ones with the control he's been given. He's one of the NFL's best tight-window throwers and always knows where to go with the football. As a husband and a soon-to-be father, Goff has experience both in football and life. His game has aged gracefully, and the Lions are in a good place because of him. It's worth mentioning because of how far he's come.
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In other words, Goff doesn't need a handler. He just needs a coordinator who will continue what the Lions have already built. He believes he has that in Morton.
'I love Johnny Mo,' Goff said. 'I have familiarity with Johnny. Some of it's changing, some of it's remaining the same. The biggest challenge is just getting on the same page with what we like, and we're just constantly working through that. No different than any of the new coaches here. Learning what we like, what we've done, getting used to the way Dan wants to play games. We'll be fine. Like I said, Johnny's done a hell of a job up to this point, and he's only getting better.'
'I think he and Johnny are going to work well together,' Campbell said. 'They have worked well together. They've been working this offseason together, tweaking things. They, you know, talk to each other, call one another, making sure that both were comfortable with what we were doing, and everything we do is always going to start with the quarterback, especially Goff. So, he's going to be fine.'
That sound you're hearing is the Jameson Williams hype train leaving the station, with seemingly every player and coach aboard, ready to have their tickets punched.
The newest conductors? Campbell and Goff.
'He's already made it, man,' Goff said, when asked what it'll take for Williams to make the next step. 'It's been awesome to see. He's done a hell of a job. Just continue to do what he's done, and just get more consistent — and he's done that. He really has. He's working hard, he's being a leader now, which is fun to see him grow into that and show guys how he wants to do things. He's talking to me a ton. It's fun, man.'
'The sky's the limit for him,' Campbell said. 'He's exactly where we want him to be right now at this point, man. He's been here, he's grinding, he's getting better. Scottie's freaking grinding him, it's awesome. We expect him to have a huge season. We really do, man.'
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Williams said he finally feels like a veteran. That's saying something, considering he's been everyone's little brother since he arrived. But you can start to see it. The Lions have four rookie receivers here for OTAs, and Williams has become a sounding board for them. He has answers to their questions, he offers tips and advice and gives detailed responses about coverages. Campbell said Williams has gotten stronger, too, which will be key for him as he faces physical corners.
Everyone here is impressed with how far he's come. Except, well, Jamo. He knows he's always had this in him.
'I wouldn't say I changed anything,' Williams said. 'Just to go out there and be the best, work the hardest. My dad, he always texts me, 'Outwork everybody.' No matter who it is, outwork everybody.' So, you know, that's just my mentality. I guess, just going into year four, you know, I got a little pep in my step. You know, I'm becoming a vet, moving over from the rookie stage, and I'm just ready to play more football and be more consistent for my team.'
— The following players were either limited or did not practice: Myles Adams, Brodric Martin, Levi Onwuzurike, DJ Reader, Josh Paschal, Tyleik Williams, Mekhi Wingo, Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, Brian Branch, Terrion Arnold, Khalil Dorsey, Miles Frazier, Kenny Yeboah, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Isaac TeSlaa, David Montgomery and Sione Vaki. Additionally, Frank Ragnow and Alex Anzalone were not in attendance.
— Here's what Campbell had to say about players who might sit because of contract issues: 'I think what's great is that any player that I talk to, I have a relationship with and there's an open line of communication. Whatever I say to those players, I'm not going to say to you guys. I never will. …Listen, I'm not worried about anything. I know this, we're in late May. Is it even June yet? I don't even — we're not even June. So, life's good. We're going to be just fine.'
— Campbell confirmed the Lions will host joint practices with the Dolphins and Texans — two with Miami and one with Houston.
— An interesting nugget from Campbell: When Morton was a senior offensive assistant with the Lions in 2022, Campbell said Morton would often give him and Ben Johnson play calls for certain situations — like third-and-12 — for the Lions to run. Campbell said Morton's done this throughout his NFL career — not just in his stint as Jets OC.
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— With so many players out or limited, it was hard to get a feel for the defense. Hutchinson, Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez and Marcus Davenport took first-team reps. Ennis Rakestraw was a first-team corner. Jack Campbell directed traffic with Anzalone out.
— Lions G Tate Ratledge spent the majority of his day repping at center with the first-team offense. Ragnow was not in attendance and the Lions want Ratledge to cross-train at both center and guard. Glasgow and Mahogany were the first-team guards next to Ratledge, with Glasgow playing some center as well.
— Staying on the topic of center reps, how about a bit of a surprise? Colby Sorsdal was one of the players repping at center on Friday. An interesting development for a player who'll need to fight for his roster spot this year. Ratledge, Mahogany and Frazier could all pass him on the guard depth chart, so adding center responsibilities could help his chances of sticking around.
— Keep in mind things were somewhat limited, but at least during the time we were out there, Detroit's backup quarterbacks — Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen — didn't particularly flash. A lot of checkdowns, overthrows and would-be sacks. Detroit's second-string defensive line was ahead of its second-string offensive line, which is typical in offseason practices. Of note: Hooker was always the first reserve QB out on the field.
— Sixth-round DE Ahmed Hassanein had a would-be sack in one of the team periods vs. the No. 2 offense and immediately turned to defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers and yelled. Coaches were hyped. Hassanein was hyped. That's the energy you should come to expect from him in practice. He's gonna bring it every day.
— Rakestraw got a lot of work with Terrion Arnold out and spent the majority of his time on the outside. Seems like the Lions like Amik Robertson and Avonte Maddox at nickel and want to develop Rakestraw on the outside. I thought he had a strong day. He put the clamps on Jameson Williams on a rep. Goff was looking his way and had to check down to Tom Kennedy. Williams had to adjust his jersey after the play, which gives you an idea of the physicality Rakestraw plays with. On another rep in the 7-on-7 period, Rakestraw had a near-interception on a pass from Goff intended for Kennedy. Jack Campbell and D.J. Reed both singled out Rakestraw as an early standout.
— Morice Norris quietly had a good day. With Branch out, Norris spent quite a bit of time next to Joseph in team periods and walk-throughs. The 2024 UDFA has an opportunity to seize the No. 3 or 4 safety job.
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— Marcus Davenport swatted a Goff pass intended for Craig Reynolds at the line of scrimmage, which drew some praise from the coaching staff and teammates. Later in practice, he jumped offsides and was clowned by players on offense. The trash talk from this bunch is hilarious to watch. And focusing on Davenport for a second — it's good to see him out there after another injury-shortened season. It's fair to ask how long he'll be able to hold up, but he seems locked in as the starting edge opposite of Hutchinson right now.
— Goff spent a few minutes talking strategy with Morton after practice. A little thing, but nice to see as that relationship is crucial for this team.
(Photo of Jameson Williams: Amy Lemus / NurPhoto via Getty Images)