Before the Detroit Lions rose to become an NFC powerhouse, they were a team looking to establish their culture.
Detroit was in the midst of four straight losing seasons and hadn't won a playoff game since 1991, entering the 2022 campaign. Dan Campbell was hired as head coach, but he was known more for “biting kneecaps” and crying during postgame press conferences than his success on the field. There was a lot going on, but there were a lot of players who stuck with Campbell and helped turn things around.
With the NFL Draft just under a week away, one player who played a key role in Detroit’s success remains without a job. And even when the draft concludes, it might be hard for the fan favorite to find a job ahead of the 2025 season.
Former Lions RB Jamaal Williams Still Looking for Work Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft
Jamaal Williams is still on the free agent market after he was released by the New Orleans Saints following the 2024 season. The 30-year-old began his career as a fourth-round (134th overall) draft pick by the Green Bay Packers but became a fan favorite when he signed with the Lions before the 2021 season.
Williams put up modest numbers in his first season in Detroit, carrying the ball 153 times for 601 yards and three touchdowns. But his production didn’t lead to team success as the Lions finished the year with a 3-13-1 record. The campaign put Williams into the spotlight during the following training camp as his impassioned speech to his teammates was a memorable moment on Hard Knocks.
That speech may have been a turning point for the franchise as the Lions overcame a 1-6 start and finished the year by winning eight of their last 10 games to finish with a winning record. Williams was instrumental on the field as well, running for a career-high 1,066 yards and an NFL-high 17 touchdowns. But the Lions put plans for an overhaul in motion, signing David Montgomery in free agency and drafting Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
While Williams was a free agent, he described Detroit’s offer as “disrespectful” and signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. His time in the bayou didn’t go well, however, as he battled injuries and ran for 599 yards and five touchdowns over two seasons before getting released.
Now on the market, it’s hard to see where Williams could end up. A reunion with the Lions is unlikely, considering Montgomery and Gibbs are in place, with Craig Reynolds also returning next season. It’s also tough to speculate with a highly-regarded running back class coming into the league that could push some of the older veterans into practice-squad roles or retirement.
If all fails, Williams could have a future as a full-time Pokémon player. But he’ll probably pursue one last chance in the NFL that may be hard to find.