The Detroit Lions are on the cusp of the Super Bowl, and this offseason has been about finding the move to kick the door down. Detroit made a big splash in free agency by signing D.J. Reed replacing Carlton Davis, and bolstered their depth with the addition of Roy Lopez. But while the Lions’ roster appears to be locked in heading into next season, there’s always a chance they could make a shocking move.
A rumor that popped up this week has fans wondering if Brad Holmes has something up his sleeve this week. While it would be a proactive decision that would get assets for a player who could be leaving in the coming weeks, it would be a massive mistake and hinder Detroit’s odds for getting to the Super Bowl in 2025.
Trading Jameson Williams Would Be A Foolish Move For Lions Super Bowl Hopes
Jameson Williams has been subject to trade rumors as he enters the fourth year of his rookie deal. The 24-year-old had a slow start to his career after tearing his ACL while playing for Alabama during the 2022 College Football Playoff but has gradually become one of the Lions top weapons.
After catching a 41-yard touchdown as his lone reception during his rookie year, Williams showed some improvement with 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 2023. While he was trending toward the bust label, he finally broke through with 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Williams’ progress is encouraging, but it also comes at a tricky time. Holmes hinted that the Lions would pick up his fifth-year option at the NFL Scouting Combine. But his long-term future is in jeopardy, considering fellow 2022 classmates Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph are both due for lucrative extensions.
With both players set to receive a big raise, it leaves little room for Williams to get paid. If he has an even bigger year in 2025, the price for his services will only go up and could approach the four-year, $115 million contract Tee Higgins signed with the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason or the three-year, $75 million pact DeVonta Smith signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.
If the Lions don’t think they can retain him, it would be wise to move Williams while his stock is high. But it also would eliminate Detroit’s ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl this year.
Holmes probably wants to set Detroit up for multiple swings at a championship, but this may be the best chance they have to get the job done. Detroit is bringing most of its offense back from a year ago, and its defense should be better after ending the year with 13 players on injured reserve.
Trading Williams would also leave a massive hole to be filled. The Lions currently have Amon-Ra St. Brown, but Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, Antoine Green, and Ronnie Bell would be left to pick up the slack. This could be solved by taking a receiver in the draft, but this year’s class doesn’t have the strength of previous years, with Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Missouri’s Luther Burden III expected to be off the board before the Lions are on the clock with the 28th overall pick.
If the Lions wait, they could revisit the idea of trading Williams again next offseason and perhaps get a bigger package if he blows up. Having a Super Bowl ring would make that an easier idea to handle and give Holmes the security to make a long-term decision for the franchise.