Jets fire offensive coordinator John Morton

The Jets relieved offensive coordinator John Morton of his duties Wednesday, forcing the franchise to seek its fifth play- caller in the last seven seasons.

Morton, in his first year with the Jets, had the 24th-ranked passing attack (198.9 yards a game) and 19th-rated ground game (106.4) in the NFL. The Jets averaged 18.6 points, putting them 24th.

Todd Bowles, according to a source, said the change was more about philosophy than anything else.

One of the leading candidates to replace Morton is Jets quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates. Bowles praised Bates for his work with backups Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg this past season.

“He gives them tips, tidbits, fundamentals and techniques and things to work on and things to watch,” Bowles said of Bates when the season ended. “I thought Jeremy did an outstanding job this season.”

Todd Haley, who was let go by the Steelers on Wednesday, is another candidate. Haley, 50, was Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator for the past six seasons. He and Bowles were on the same staff in Dallas for two seasons, and an NFL executive, who requested anonymity, said he believes Haley and Bowles could work together.

Haley has strong ties to the Jets. He was the Jets’ wide receivers coach in 1999 and 2000, and his father, Dick Haley, was the Jets’ player personnel director from 1991-2002.

Lions quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan, the son of former Jets assistant head coach Bill Callahan, also might receive consideration to replace Morton. The Jets tried to interview Brian Callahan last season but were denied a request to speak with him. Mike McCoy, who was let go as the Broncos’ OC during the 2017 season, is another possibility.

After Morton spent two seasons as the Saints’ wide receivers coach, the Jets hired him to run the West Coast offense. After a three-man quarterback competition, the Jets settled on Josh McCown, who set career highs in touchdown passes (18), passing yards (2,926) and completions (267). The Jets also produced more than 400 yards in three games.

But Morton had his problems. Running back Matt Forte complained after a 25-20 loss to Atlanta that the team didn’t run the ball enough in a driving rainstorm. The next week, the Jets stuck with the run game more and produced in a 34-21 victory over the Bills.

Yet as the season progressed, several players grumbled about the play-calling. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and wide receiver Jermaine Kearse disappeared at times in the passing game. The offensive line, which had health issues with center Wesley Johnson and guard Brian Winters, struggled in the running game.

When the season ended, Jets’ officials were aware the Raiders wanted to hire Morton for an offensive coach’s position. But the Jets were still evaluating what to do with their offensive staff.

Now the Jets are searching for a starting quarterback and a play-caller. McCown is 38 and a free agent, and it hasn’t been determined whether he will return in 2018. So the new play-caller could be working with a rookie quarterback as the starter or a high-priced free agent.