Will Lions HC Dan Campbell continue to call plays after 44-point eruption vs. Commanders?

Head coach Dan Campbell assumed play-calling duties in the Detroit Lions' Week 10 road game against the Washington Commanders, which did the trick.

In Detroit's 44-22 victory over Washington on Sunday, Campbell's aggressive play calling helped its offense generate a season-high 546 yards. In their three previous games with offensive coordinator John Morton calling plays, the Lions failed to eclipse 379 yards or more and score more than 24 points. 

With that in mind, it would be understandable if Campbell wanted to call plays for the rest of the season. However, he hinted that the change may not be permanent. 

Dan Campbell opens up about play-calling change

"Look, don't forget [former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson] — I called whatever that was eight or nine games. I don't remember what it was in 2021, while he helped me, but he watched, he learned, you know, saw how I wanted to run it, what I was looking for, and then it evolved from there," Campbell told the media Monday. "And you know by the middle of 2022, I didn't have to say a word. That's kind of where John is. And you know sometimes that's the best way to really know what is just going through that."

This offseason, Morton replaced Johnson after he became HC of the Chicago Bears. Thus far, the offense has produced mixed results under the former Denver Broncos passing game coordinator.

Detroit (6-3) still ranks second in the league in points scored (31.4) after 10 weeks, but that figure includes Sunday's offensive explosion against the Commanders. If you subtract that game, the Lions have averaged 29.9 PPG with Morton calling plays (via StatMuse). With Johnson calling plays last season, Detroit averaged 33.1 PPG, which ranked first in the league.

Now the offense hasn't been awful under Morton. But with stars like wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and quarterback Jared Goff, he should be producing better results. 

Morton may need more time to learn the system, but the Lions may not have that. After winning 12 regular-season games or more the past two seasons, Detroit is aiming to win its first Super Bowl this season. Campbell retaining play-calling duties may help the team achieve that goal.