Getty Image / Scott W Grau
The Detroit Lions were one of the NFL’s most improved teams during the 2022 season.
After finishing with the league’s 2nd worst record in 2021, they were a tiebreaker away from the playoffs this past season.
A big reason why they were so much better this year was a strong rushing attack.
Unfortunately, the star of that run game, Jamaal Williams, is heading for free agency this offseason.
According to Fox Sports’ Carmen Vitali, there is mutual interest in a reunion for Williams and the Lions.
Brad Holmes says there’s mutual interest between the Lions and Jamaal Williams in re-signing and the two sides have had ongoing discussions. Williams is set to be an unrestricted free agent later this month.
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) March 1, 2023
Jamaal Williams has had an interesting NFL career. The Green Bay Packers drafted him in the 4th round back in 2017 and he was expected to eventually be their starting running back.
That didn’t end up happening as the Packers also drafted Aaron Jones in that same year and he quickly became one of the NFL’s best backs.
After 4 years in Green Bay, he stayed in the NFC North and headed to the Detroit Lions, who happened to have a talented young running back of their own.
Despite that, he actually ended up leading the Lions in carries in his first year with the team.
In his 2nd year in Detroit, he took over the backfield. He made D’Andre Swift an afterthought as the Lions chased a playoff spot, racking up 1066 yards and leading the league in touchdowns with 17.
After such a successful season, it’s no surprise that Williams and the Lions would want to run it back. The run game helped take pressure off of Jared Goff and was a big part of their success down the stretch this past season.
if he returns to the Lions, Williams will be sure to get plenty of carries once again in 2023 and he’ll surely be collecting a much bigger paycheck for his contributions wherever he ends up.