When the Detroit Lions moved on from offensive coordinator John Morton, it opened one of the most important decisions of the Dan Campbell era. Bringing in a fresh outside voice makes sense, and there are plenty of intriguing names on the market, but there’s also a strong case to be made for keeping the promotion in-house.

Campbell values culture, continuity, and trust. Detroit has built one of the NFL’s strongest locker rooms by hiring teachers, not just schemers. And inside Allen Park, there are several assistants who already understand the Lions’ identity, their personnel, and what Campbell wants the offense to look like going forward.

If Detroit decides to stay internal, here are three in-house offensive coordinator candidates who make legitimate sense.

Scottie Montgomery — Assistant Head Coach / Wide Receivers Coach

If there is a natural in-house favorite, it’s Scottie Montgomery. Campbell already trusts him enough to give him the Assistant Head Coach title, and he has played a huge role in developing Detroit’s wide receiver room and offensive identity.

Montgomery has both NFL and college play-calling experience, including previous roles as offensive coordinator at Duke and Maryland. He interviewed for multiple head-coaching and coordinator jobs around the league last offseason, and many around the NFL view him as a rising offensive leader.

What Campbell likes most: Montgomery is a communicator, a teacher, and a tone-setter.

He’s also a former running backs coach in Detroit, giving him a rare perspective across multiple position groups, receivers, backs, and overall offensive structure.

If the Lions want someone who can maintain continuity without losing creativity, Montgomery checks every box. Promoting him would also minimize disruption and keep the locker room chemistry intact, something Campbell clearly values.

Bottom line: If Campbell wants a steady hand who already commands respect in the building, Montgomery may be the most seamless fit.

Hank Fraley — Offensive Line Coach / Run Game Coordinator

If you want the heartbeat of the Detroit Lions offense, look no further than Hank Fraley.

Fraley has quietly become one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the NFL, and his promotion to Run Game Coordinator wasn’t symbolic — it was earned. Detroit’s identity under Campbell has always started in the trenches, and Fraley has played a massive role in shaping that philosophy.

He understands the Lions’ personnel, blocking schemes, and physical style better than anyone on staff. Under his direction, Detroit’s offensive line has consistently been one of the best-coached units in football, even during injury-plagued stretches.

Fraley isn’t just a technician. He’s a former player who understands leadership, tempo, and football psychology. That matters when you’re managing an entire offense.

The question becomes whether Campbell wants his OC to remain in a trenches-first structure or shift toward a more modern, pass-game-centric approach. If it’s the former, Fraley is a logical extension of Campbell’s DNA.

Bottom line: If the Lions want to double-down on toughness and run-game identity while maintaining continuity up front, Fraley is a legitimate candidate.

David Shaw — Passing Game Coordinator

David Shaw may be one of the most interesting in-house candidates, and arguably the most intellectually versatile.

The former Stanford head coach joined Detroit as Passing Game Coordinator, bringing with him years of NFL and collegiate innovation, leadership, and quarterback development experience. Shaw is respected league-wide for his football IQ and calm, CEO-style presence.

He blends West Coast passing structure with physical run-game principles, the exact style of balance the Lions often strive for.

Shaw has worked closely with Jared Goff, Detroit’s receivers, and the quarterback room as a whole. If the Lions want to stabilize the passing attack, improve situational execution, and sharpen red-zone decision-making, Shaw’s skill set makes a ton of sense.

He’s not a flashy name; he’s a strategist. And Campbell values coaches who see the game holistically, not just from a play-sheet perspective.

Bottom line: If Detroit wants a cerebral offensive mind who can refine the passing identity while maintaining discipline and structure, Shaw deserves serious consideration.

So… Should the Lions Promote from Within?

Going internal wouldn’t be the “headline move.” It wouldn’t create noise on talk shows or make national waves. But it would reinforce the foundation Detroit has built: continuity, accountability, and trust.

Promoting Montgomery, Fraley, or Shaw would:

• Maintain system familiarity for Jared Goff and the offense
• Prevent scheme disruption during a critical offseason
• Reward internal development, something players respect
• Keep Detroit’s culture aligned with Campbell’s philosophy

With that said, Campbell won’t hesitate to go external if he believes a fresh approach is necessary. The decision ultimately comes down to whether Detroit needs stability or evolution.

Either way, one thing is clear:

The Lions now have one of the most important coordinator hires of their competitive window, and the right choice could determine how far Detroit goes in 2026.