The NFL free agency craze has finally subsided. After two weeks of releases, transactions, and trades, things have calmed down around the league. While most of the high-profile free agents are off the market, there are still plenty of former Detroit Lions who are still looking for their next opportunity. These five players are still out there after their time in Detroit came to an end. Whether they return to the Lions or sign elsewhere remains to be seen.
RB Jamaal Williams
Following his impressive 2022 season with the Lions, when he ran for 1,066 yards and led the league in rushing touchdowns, while also setting a franchise single-season record with 17, Jamaal Williams signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. His tenure with the Saints didn't go according to the plan. In 2023, Williams didn't score a touchdown until the final play of the regular-season finale and averaged career-low 2.9 yards per carry.
Things didn't get much better for Williams in his second season in New Orleans, as he was firmly behind Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill in backfield touches. He finished the year with 164 yards on 48 carries in 14 games, scoring one touchdown.
After the season, the Saints released Williams before the final year of his contract. The former fourth-round pick of the Packers is now a free agent. He is about to turn 30 in two weeks, making it hard to imagine that he will secure anything more than a one-year, "prove it" deal. Once one of the most reliable rushers in the league, he still holds the record for most carries without ever fumbling. Lions fans will closely watch the next step in his journey.