Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is now eligible for an extension.
The team hasn’t shied away from offering early extensions to key players, but it seems unlikely that Williams will receive one this offseason. Instead, he’ll use the 2025 season to prove his worth.
Lions Took A Risk Drafting Jameson Williams
In the 2022 NFL draft, the Lions made a big splash when they traded up to draft Williams, the Alabama product with game-breaking speed. They gave the Minnesota Vikings the 32nd, 34th, and 66th picks in exchange for the 12th and 46th picks.
Many analysts considered Williams a top-five talent that year, but his stock dropped when he suffered an ACL tear during the 2021 College Football National Championship Game.
This injury relegated Williams’s rookie season to a redshirt year, more or less. He returned for the last six games, but only played 78 total snaps in 2022.
Trading draft capital to move up for a player who would miss most of their rookie season was bold, but general manager Brad Holmes and company believed Williams was worth the risk.
Williams Violated The NFL’s Gambling Policy
Williams missed the first four games of the 2023 season because he violated the NFL’s gambling policy. He was barred from being around the team entirely, missing meetings, practices, and walkthroughs.
After missing most of his rookie season, Williams needed as many practice and game reps as possible, and this suspension was a disappointing setback.
Williams Struggled Mightily In 2023
As a result of the suspension, Williams and quarterback Jared Goff had difficulty getting on the same page. Every game, a throw to Williams would be egregiously off-target because he ran the wrong route.
Even when Williams ran the correct route, he had difficulty getting open. He was consistently manhandled by press coverage and failed to get separation on any short and intermediate routes.
Williams had trouble tracking the ball. On numerous occasions, Goff delivered a catchable deep ball, but Williams frequently got himself turned around and in a physically unnatural position, making catches harder than necessary.
Williams also had plenty of concentration lapses. He struggled to make catches in traffic and dropped a high percentage of passes-he dropped four of his 42 targets.
Williams’ Character Concerns Grow In 2024
Williams made several questionable decisions in 2024. He violated the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy and was suspended two games after testing positive for an unknown substance.
Williams also found himself at the center of a police investigation when he was discovered with an improperly licensed concealed firearm, though charges never came. Even though he wasn’t arrested, fans and media felt this was the final straw and could spell the end of his time in Detroit.
Williams Showed Enormous Potential In 2024
On the field, Williams improved tremendously-he finally had the breakout year the Lions had been waiting for. He caught 58 passes for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns.
Williams developed good chemistry with his QB, and miscommunications were much less frequent than in 2023. He appeared to be consistently on schedule and where he was expected to be.
Williams developed as a route runner and expanded his route tree. He frequently shook free on shorter and intermediate routes, especially in-breaking ones.
Williams also improved his concentration. He made several difficult catches in traffic and decreased his drop rate by more than half-he dropped only three passes out of 91 targets.
Williams’ big-play ability was on full display in 2024. He finished the season with 21 explosive plays-receptions of 20 or more yards or runs of 10 or more yards. This was second among all NFL WRs-only Justin Jefferson had more.
Lions Likely To Use Fifth-Year Option
Last season, the Lions exercised offensive tackle Penei Sewell’s fifth-year option, but folded it into a four-year contract extension, essentially locking him up for five more years.
With Williams, they will likely exercise the fifth-year option to buy themselves until the 2026 offseason before offering an extension.
Williams Could Be The Odd Man Out
Despite Williams’ 2024 success, the Lions’ payroll and commitment to other key players put a contract extension in doubt. With significant extensions already made to players like Goff, Sewell, Amon Ra St. Brown, and Alim McNeill, the Lions’ resources are stretched thin.
They are beginning talks with superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who will likely get the Sewell treatment-a fifth-year option plus a multi-year extension. Then, in 2026, running back Jahmyr Gibbs will also be eligible for an extension.
At some point, the Lions will be unable to afford extensions for all their core players, and unless Williams does a lot to prove his worth, he could be one of the casualties.
How Can Williams Earn An Extension in 2026?
Williams needs to prove he can be a model professional. He has made many questionable decisions in his young career, and the front office needs complete confidence that he has turned a corner.
Avoiding off-the-field issues is a start, but Williams must also be a professional in the locker room and on the field. In 2024, he committed numerous taunting and celebration penalties that cost his team 15 yards-that cannot happen anymore.
Williams had a breakout 2024 season, but matching that success will not be enough-he has to be even more productive. Statistics aren’t an accurate measure of a player’s value, but if Williams ends up with a stat line of 70 catches, 1200 yards, and 10 TDs, the Lions will think twice before letting that type of production go.
End Of My Detroit Lions Jameson Williams Rant
Williams showed tremendous potential in 2024, but questions about his consistency and off-the-field decisions remain. While he’s likely to receive the fifth-year option, the Lions don’t appear ready to commit long-term. He’ll have to use the 2025 season to prove he’s worthy of a contract extension.
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