Lions Locking in WR Jameson Williams with Contract Extension Ahead of Season Opener Draws Mixed Reactions – “Gets suspended once a year so overpay”

Jameson Williams is set to stay a Detroit Lion until 2027.

Lions Locking in WR Jameson Williams with Contract Extension Ahead of Season Opener Draws Mixed Reactions – “Gets suspended once a year so overpay”

Jameson Williams (Image via IMAGO)

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The Detroit Lions made a bold move ahead of their high-voltage season opener against the Green Bay Packers. They agreed to a three-year extension with wide receiver Jameson Williams.

Williams played 15 games for the Lions in 2024, amassing 58 receptions from 91 targets for 1001 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. With the Lions qualifying for the divisional playoff game by winning the NFC North, Williams had the chance to start his fourth playoff game of his career.

Williams caught one pass and threw an interception as the Lions lost 45-31 to the Washington Commanders.

The 24-year-old entered the fourth year of his rookie contract that included a fifth-year option. The Lions’ front office decided to trigger it in the offseason.

On Saturday, the Lions and Williams agreed to a three-year extension and $67 million guaranteed, which could rise up to $83 million, as per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Eric Woodyard.

Jameson Williams’ new contract leaves social media divided

Williams is a solid second receiver option behind Amon-Ra St. Brown for the Lions. However, the former 12th overall pick hasn’t lived up to his hype. In fact, he has been disappointing at times.

Lions Locking in WR Jameson Williams with Contract Extension Ahead of Season Opener Draws Mixed Reactions - “Gets suspended once a year so overpay”
#9 Jameson Williams battles for yardage against a Chicago Bears defender (Image via IMAGO)

His rookie season began on injured reserve due to a torn ACL. The Lions did not give him his debut until week 13. He caught just one pass for 41 yards in 6 appearances, but that one catch led to his first NFL touchdown.

Analysts predicted Williams to take a big leap in his second year. However, he and three other Lions players were suspended for violating the NFL’s gambling policy after an investigation by the league. He returned to the team in Week 5 and played a total of 12 games to catch 24 passes for 354 yards and 2 touchdowns.

2024 began with a bang for Williams with 5 receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown. However, disciplinary issues had latched onto him like a bad shadow. The NFL banned him for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances policy. Fans questioned the Lions’ decision to extend the contract of a player who has missed 18 games in his first three seasons.

Moreover, Ben Johnson is no longer in the building. He left to coach the Chicago Bears. The Lions replaced Johnson with ex-Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton as their new OC. There’s doubt whether Williams can replicate his numbers under a new OC.

Williams has an upside to his game. He averaged 16.8 yards per game in 33 appearances and managed to bounce back by recording his first career 1000-yard season.

The Lions also got their hands on a complete gem in the recent draft. Arkansas graduate Isaac TeSlaa put the NFL on notice with impressive preseason performances, recording 8 catches, 146 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns.

There’s also talk of extending star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson’s contract. Hutchinson is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract after fracturing both his tibia and fibula. Despite playing just five games, Hutchinson had 7.5 sacks and was on course to break TJ Watt and Michael Strahan’s 22.5 sacks in a season.

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