The Detroit Lions may lose Josh Reynolds to free agency this offseason. But the Lions could already have his replacement in 22-year-old Jameson Williams.
At least that’s what head coach Dan Campbell appeared to suggest on February 27. While speaking to reporters at the NFL combine, Campbell implied the team has high expectations for Williams heading into 2024.
“By the end of the year, we really felt like he started to come into his own,” Campbell said on Williams. “He’s going to be push to be a full-time starter now, and that’s what we’re looking for.”
Williams is already technically a starter. Including the playoffs, he started 14 contests after returning from his 4-game suspension in Week 5.
But Reynolds played nearly 400 more snaps than Williams as the team’s No. 2 wideout.
Williams took advantage of his opportunities, though, especially at the end of the season. He posted more than 40 receiving yards in each of his last three regular season games.
Williams then scored 2 touchdowns in the NFC championship game.
“The kid’s come on, so we’ve got high hopes for him,” Campbell added. “We see him continuing to grow.
“As long as he gets back and puts the work in like we believe he will because he’s shown that, he’s only going to get better and better and better.”
Kalif Raymond Touts the Work Ethic of WR Jameson Williams
Williams had a difficult offseason. He received a 6-game suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling violations.
He also caused a stir on social media for liking a tweet that suggested the Lions replace Jared Goff with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Then on July 5, Williams posted a video of a fireworks celebration, where he lit explosives in his hands.
But after getting his suspension reduced to four games, Williams cut out the drama and went to work.
The Lions coaching staff wasn’t the only entity that noticed.
“I am so proud of watching him and all the plays that he’s had over this postseason run and the latter half of the season,” fellow wideout Kalif Raymond said, via Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman. “Everything he was doing it didn’t come as a surprise because he was putting in so much work. It was actually crazy to see how much work he put in.”
Williams finished the 2023 season with 24 catches, 354 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had a rushing score.
Most of that production — 16 receptions, 265 yards and 2 total touchdowns — came in the final eight games of the season.
Lions to Lose WR Josh Reynolds?
The Lions hyped Williams for his growth and development throughout the entire 2023 season. The results slowly came at the end of the campaign.
In 2024, though, the Lions may need Williams to produce a lot more.
Reynolds will become an unrestricted free agent in March. Spotrac didn’t project Reynolds to land a big contract in free agency, but media pundits have connected the veteran receiver with other teams.
“While a few teams will be on the hunt for a No. 1 option in free agency, most teams could at least use a player who is capable of making plays downfield,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine.
“He’s the kind of signing that will probably be a minor blip in news cycle in the spring but will play a crucial role for a team contending for the playoffs.”
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Lions prioritized re-signing one or two of their starting offensive linemen. Finding a cornerback upgrade in free agency must also be at the top of Detroit’s offseason wish list.
If Reynolds departs, then the team will be counting on Williams to play a much bigger role in Detroit’s No. 2-ranked passing offense next season.
Comments
Lions’ Dan Campbell Issues Challenge to WR Jameson Williams