The Detroit Lions have taken care of the most important orders of business this offseason, retaining most of their key contributors from last season. They still have some work to do as they have a few remaining free agents they have to make a decision on.
Another decision they have to make relates to fifth-year options of two recent first-round picks. Players drafted in the first round can get an extra year added to their four-year rookie scale contracts. Detroit has until May 1 to exercise the fifth-year options on Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams.
The Lions are obviously looking to extend Hutchinson's contract. There hasn't been an update on those negotiations so far, but the Lions almost certainly will want to keep Hutchinson beyond his fifth year with the team.
What is a more fascinating case is Williams' situation. The former 12th-overall pick had a breakout season in 2024, going for 58 catches, 1,001 yards, and seven touchdowns in 15 games. Williams' fifth-year option would be just under $15.5 million for the 2026 season.
GM Brad Holmes recently said that the Lions will "likely" exercise the option on Williams. He added that the former Alabama playmaker has "more in him" and it "makes sense" to keep him around, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard.
There are three weeks left before the Lions have to make an official decision. Exercising the option doesn't preclude Detroit from signing Williams to a lucrative, long-term deal. At the same time, it gives the Lions more time to evaluate Williams, who struggled with injuries and various suspensions throughout his three-year pro career. Instead of moving too early and moving the risk from Williams to themselves, it makes sense for the Lions to wait another year or longer to lock Williams down.
Whether the Lions feel the same way and how confident they will feel about Williams remains an intriguing storyline for Detroit's immediate future.