Over the past few years, the Detroit Lions have done a great job building up their roster through the NFL draft. They have selected stars such as Aidan Hutchinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Jameson Williams, and others. While having a bunch of young ascending stars is beneficial, it also means the Lions have a lot of players to pay close together.
As a result, they likely won't be able to keep everyone in their young core together. This is why rumors were swirling this offseason that Detroit could look to trade Jameson Williams. Though that didn't happen, Williams' future with the Lions is still very much up in the air.
With another big season like he had in 2024, the 24-year-old may price himself out of Detroit.
Jameson Williams Could Cause Contract Dispute With a Big 2025 Season
Last year, Lions fans witnessed everything fall into place for the speedster. In 2024, Williams recorded 58 receptions on 81 targets for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. Not only was he productive with his receptions, but he was also finally able to stay on the field and out of trouble.
During his first two NFL seasons, the Alabama product only played in 18 games due to injuries and suspension. In those 18 games, Williams only recorded 25 receptions on 51 targets for 395 yards and three touchdowns. Even though everyone could see his talent during his first two seasons, it was a step in a positive direction to see Williams be available and productive in more games in 2024.
That said, if Williams puts together another 1,000+ yard season, he could look for a big contract extension. Now, the Lions still have Williams under one year of team control after 2025. Since he was a first-round pick, Detroit picked up his fifth-year option this offseason.
However, if Williams feels that he's worth more than that tag after another great campaign, he could choose not to play under the tag. This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Tee Higgins to a four-year extension worth $115 million. That's an average annual salary of $28.75 million a season, the biggest contract for any wide receiver No.2 in NFL history.
Higgins is more accomplished than Williams and deserves every penny of that contract, but Williams may still strive for something close to that range with another 1,000+ yard season. If that happens, I will be begging Brad Holmes to make a Williams contract financially work out.