The Detroit Lions have a decision to make this offseason with RB Jamaal Williams. He is an unrestricted free-agent and was a major piece of the offense last season. So much so, Williams broke Barry Sanders single season rushing TD record with 17.
“I write goals for myself every year, and this year, I hit a lot of them,” Williams said. “It’s just like, ‘Wow.’ You make those at the beginning of OTAs and before the season, and I look at my goal list now and check, check, check. And I’ve got one on there that I didn’t even have, which is the rushing [touchdowns] record, which is a check that I didn’t even have on my goals.
“I’m just blessed for it. It makes me even more hungry. I’m not satisfied. I think that’s my curse because I just feel like I can always be better, so I’ve still got a lot more to go.”
Jamaal has embraced his role in Ben Johnson’s offense. The Detroit Lions should not let him go.
On Wednesday Morning he spoke on ESPN’s First Take, hinting he is staying with the Detroit Lions.
“IT DON’T MATTA WE TAKING THE NORTH” – @jswaggdaddy
🎥 – @espn pic.twitter.com/YkEZAjlqRP
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) February 8, 2023
When asked about Aaron Rodgers and the NFC North, Jamaal responded “It don’t matter, we taking the North.”
I love the fact he used the term “we”. Hopefully that means he’s already locked in and will work with Brad Holmes on getting a new contract done.
Jamaal Williams signed a 2 year, $6,000,000 contract with the Detroit Lions, including a $1,250,000 signing bonus, $3,250,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,000,000 in March of 2021.
To keep Jamaal, I think, you are looking at the $5-6 Million range. That puts him with the likes of Kareem Hunt, Rashaad Penny range. To me, that’s a good comparable for the role in the offense that Jamaal has. It gives Williams a boost in salary and doesn’t kill the Detroit Lions on cap hit.
Photo: © David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports