The Detroit Lions paid wide receiver Jameson Williams handsomely in a contract extension before Week 1 of the 2025 campaign, but entering Week 10, the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout has been struggling to make a major impact on the offense.
Whether it was as simple as facing a weakened opponent who provided a breakout opportunity, or something more, such as head coach Dan Campbell becoming more involved in the play-calling side of the equation on offense, Williams had the type of performance against the Washington Commanders that Lions fans had been waiting for. The wideout caught six of his seven targets for a game-high 119 receiving yards and one touchdown to help Detroit cruise to a 44-22 victory in Landover, MD.
Jameson Williams' Breakout Game Paints Ugly Picture for John Morton
There has been plenty of discussion regarding the selection of John Morton to be the man to take over as offensive coordinator after Ben Johnson left the Motor City to join the rival Chicago Bears. While there were plenty of reasons to give him the benefit of the doubt, all the key players were returning to the fold, Williams had simply not been able to figure out a way to be the type of difference-maker fans had grown accustomed to seeing.
Sunday afternoon against Washington, Campbell was seen on the sidelines with a playsheet in his hands, making offensive calls. After the game, Campbell confirmed he took those duties over following Detroit's Week 9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but, according to Lions Senior Writer Tim Twentyman, he maintained it was a "collaborative effort" on Sunday in its blowout win over the Commanders.
Campbell can call it whatever he wants. The way the Lions elected to use Williams was noticeably different in this game, and it paid dividends for Detroit's offensive attack as they ran wild in Washington's secondary all game long. Entering Sunday's game, Williams had crossed the 100-yard receiving plateau just once this season. He had also caught six balls just one time this season, before today.
Moving forward, it seems reasonable to think that Campbell will remain involved in the playcalling side of things on offense, further lessening the duties associated with Morton's job. There is no good reason to have a player of the caliber of Williams be as uninvolved in the offense as he had been leading up to Sunday's blowout victory over the Commanders.
Williams' usage was a clear problem to see before Campbell stepped in to make a change, and it will remain at the front of mind for fans from here on out. That sentiment will hold even truer if the speedy playmaker continues to produce at the rate he did on Sunday.