Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) stretches with the team during the final day of OTAs on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park.Jake May | MLIive.com
What does the next level of development for Detroit Lions’ offense look like?
Under new offensive coordinator John Morton, there will be some changes. While not holistic, the hope is small tweaks and a conversion to Morton’s terminology and teaching will bring the group to another level.
But as the Lions move past OTAs and look toward training camp, coach Dan Campbell sees the next step being how multiple and versatile the offense can get behind a star playmaking group that includes young players like running back Jahymr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta and wide receiver Jameson Williams.
“How many ways and times can we isolate one of these guys? I think that’s what it comes down to,” Campbell said June 5. “Alright we know we’re going to get the one-on-one with Jamo here, and these are the best routes to use him on and let him really shine and do what he does. LaPorta as well. Gibbs as well.
“You want to take away Saint (WR Amon-Ra St. Brown)? You want to take away Jamo? You take away LaPorta. Well Gibbs, here we go, here’s your three routes. Here’s what you do best. Or any of those other guys.
So I think it’s not all that different from what we’ve done before, but I think so much of it will be how do we just — simple plays here and let those guys go to work. Get it in their hands and let them go to work and do what they do.”
There was plenty of wealth to spread in last year’s offense. Four players — Gibbs, St. Brown, Williams and running back David Montgomery — had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and LaPorta added over 700 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
According to coaches and players in the organization, the young returning stars are ready to take big steps forward in 2025. That makes it all the more likely the Lions can continue molding a sort of pick-your-poison offense.
“Those guys are playmakers on offense,” St. Brown said of Gibbs and Williams. “They’re guys we need, guys we lean on. Watching them this spring has been a lot of fun to sit back and watch them do their thing, get better.”
But the one St. Brown — coming off his second straight First-team All-Pro selection — has his eye on is LaPorta.
After a record-setting rookie campaign, LaPorta’s numbers dropped a bit last season, in particular his targets going down from 120 to 83.
St. Brown suggested LaPorta may not have received the amount of touches he wanted in 2024, but from his perspective, St. Brown sees LaPorta’s drive to top his sophomore season and help the Lions win now.
“Not taking anything from what he did last year, he’s a baller,” St. Brown said. “But I can tell this year he’s making plays out there every day. I feel like he’s gonna have a big year.”
There are still a few months before the Lions’ players will get to showcase their growth in a real game setting.
But if their young core of playmakers are on this path of development to bolster an offense that already excelled last season, they should have no problem accomplishing Campbell’s plans.
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