Life in the NFL can turn quickly for most players, and former Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams is no exception. Williams became a fan favorite in Detroit for his fun personality and an NFL-high 17 touchdowns in 2022. But after signing with the New Orleans Saints in the spring of 2023, Williams’s career has taken a sharp downturn to the point where he’s just trying to find a job.
After failing to land one with the Miami Dolphins in August, Williams was unable to land a job following another tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. With the Buccaneers deciding to sign fellow running back Michael Wiley instead, Williams’s career is on the ropes, which could have him considering his future.
Jamaal Williams’ NFL Future in Doubt After Buccaneers Pass on Veteran RB
The Buccaneers presented a solid opportunity for Williams to land the job he’s been seeking since last spring. Tampa Bay’s backfield is banged up, Bucky Irving is nursing a foot sprain and has already been ruled out for Monday night’s game against the Lions. While Rachaad White and Sean Tucker have filled in, fourth-string running back Josh Williams has been out with a concussion.
Williams’s resume seemed to be a great fit for a veteran backup role. Given how long it’s taken him to find a job, it probably wouldn’t have cost that much money to bring him in.
Instead, the Buccaneers decided to sign Wiley, a 2024 undrafted free agent out of Arizona who spent last year on the Washington Commanders' practice squad, spent training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs, and wasn’t on a practice squad before reportedly signing with Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
This is a jarring reality for Williams as he continues his job search. The veteran ran for 1,985 yards and 10 touchdowns during his four seasons with the Green Bay Packers before leaping to Detroit after the 2020 season. Despite going viral for his training camp speech on Hard Knocks and a career year with 1,066 rushing yards in 2022, he had just 470 yards and two touchdowns in 27 games with the Saints before his release last spring.
After losing out to Mike Boone last August, losing to Wiley is an even more alarming development. It has Williams' career in free fall unless a team offers him a safety net.