The Detroit Lions found a game-breaking receiver in Jameson Williams, who has used his speed and big-play ability to stretch opposing defenses.
But the Lions have struggled to get Williams going this season, culminating with his zero-catch performance in the team’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team’s coaching staff addressed the issue, admitting that he hasn’t been used properly while also sending a sharp message to Williams.
Lions ‘Failed’ Jameson Williams
Lions offensive coordinator John Morton addressed Williams this week, saying the team “failed” to get him involved in the offense as much. Williams has 17 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns so far this season, well below his pace for last year when he topped 1,000 yards with seven receiving touchdowns.
Morton told reporter this week that he needs to do better at scheming ways to get Williams more involved.
“I looked at everything, as far as that. I’m going to do a better job with that. But there has been opportunities where it just didn’t happen,” Morton said, via ESPN. “It’s not like we aren’t going to try to target him. So that was the biggest thing.
“So I looked at everything, and I failed him. That’s what I told him,” Morton added. “I have to do a better job with that. But it’s a two-way street. We definitely looked at that.”
Williams said it wasn’t a big deal that he’s not getting as many targets, especially as the team continues to win games, but remained confident that his production would start to tick upward.
“He came to me and expressed to me how he felt, but with me, I really wasn’t taking it too far into thinking about it,” Williams said. “We was winning games and things like that, so I can never get myself too worked up with me getting the ball or me getting targeted or things like that. I know it’s gonna come. It’s a long season.”
The Lions have put themselves in good position so far this season, jumping out to a 5-2 record and sitting just behind the Green Bay Packers for the division lead.
Jared Goff Predicts Bigger Role for Jameson Williams
Lions quarterback Jared Goff echoed the sentiment from Williams that everything is good as long as the team is winning, but did predict the speedster would take on a bigger role.
“We want to win the game, we want to score points, and I think that’s the primary for everybody,” Goff told reporters after practice on Tuesday. “But of course, yeah, we’d love to get him involved more, get him to rock in a million different ways. And he’s explosive. I know defenses are worried about him at all times, and we need to find ways to continue to keep him involved.”
After a slow start to his career, Williams has grown to become a major piece of Detroit’s offense. He missed most of his rookie season while rehabbing a torn ACL, but showed flashes of potential in his second year, making 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns.
He had a breakout season in 2024, making 58 receptions for 1,001 yards.
Lions Coach Sends Sharp Message to WR Jameson Williams Amid Struggles