Brad Holmes Will Not Be Outdone By The Green Bay Packers Before Kickoff!
Jameson Williams Lands $83M Extension as Lions Lock in Offensive Core
On the eve of their 2025 season opener against the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions secured one of their most explosive offensive weapons for the long term. Wide receiver Jameson Williams has agreed to a three-year contract extension worth up to $83 million, with $67 million guaranteed, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The team confirmed the deal Sunday morning. Dave Birkett was one of the first to report the deal in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
From Uncertainty to Breakout
Drafted 12th overall in 2022 after the Lions traded up 20 spots to get him, Williams’ early career was defined by setbacks — a torn ACL in his final college game at Alabama, a four-game gambling suspension in 2023, and a two-game PED suspension in 2024.
But in 2024, Williams delivered on his first-round promise:
• 58 receptions on 101 targets
• 1,001 receiving yards (17.3 yards per catch, 2nd in NFL)
• 7 receiving TDs
• 11 carries for 61 yards and 1 rushing TD
He also produced six plays of 50+ yards and another six of 25+ yards, cementing his role as Detroit’s premier deep threat alongside All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Coaches on Williams’ Growth
Head coach Dan Campbell praised Williams’ offseason work:
“He’s had a good spring… there’s so much versatility with him… just with his speed, and he’s gotten so much stronger.”
New offensive coordinator John Morton echoed that sentiment:
“He’s a weapon… he’s a playmaker.”
Receivers coach Scottie Montgomery noted Williams’ improved lower-body strength and conditioning as a key factor in his 2024 leap.
"I think he started to turn a corner a long time ago," receivers coach Scottie Montgomery said this week. "You could see it. Almost around the corner, almost around the corner and then this offseason, where I think he grew the most is I really talked to him about strength and getting better and stronger in his lower quarters and changing his body. Even if you don’t change weight wise, you can change strength wise and he’s gotten a lot stronger." via Dave Birkett
Where Jameson Williams Ranks Financially
According to Over The Cap's' 2025 WR Contract Rankings, Williams’ $27.67M average annual value (APY) places him 13th among NFL wide receivers:
Below Tee Higgins ($28.75M) and Jaylen Waddle ($28.25M)
Above DJ Moore ($27.5M)
Behind teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30M)
In guaranteed money, Williams’ $67M surpasses Deebo Samuel, Tyreek Hill & Nico Collins, and just shy of DeVonta Smith’s $69.99M guarantee from his 2024 extension, placing him in the top 12 among all WRs for total guarantees.
Contract Structure & Cap Impact
Williams is set to earn $5.5M in 2025 under his rookie deal. The Lions have already exercised his fully guaranteed $15.49M fifth-year option for 2026.
If the extension begins after the option year, the total commitment becomes:
4 years, $98.5M total value
$82.5M guaranteed
$24.63M APY over that span
Cap analysts project roughly $13.4M of base guarantees to Detroit’s future salary cap obligations.
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Strategic Context
This deal continues GM Brad Holmes’ philosophy of locking in homegrown talent rather than chasing blockbuster trades. In the past two offseasons, Detroit has extended St. Brown, Jared Goff, Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker, Alim McNeill and Kerby Joseph.
Negotiations with Aidan Hutchinson remain ongoing, but no deal is expected before the season. The edge rusher market has exploded — Micah Parsons recently reset it with a $47M APY — making Hutchinson’s extension a more complex cap puzzle.
Why It Matters for the Lions Offense
Williams’ vertical speed forces defenses to respect the deep ball, creating space for St. Brown’s precision routes, Sam LaPorta’s seam work, and the Jahmyr Gibbs/David Montgomery backfield tandem.
Detroit’s offense ranked 1st in points scored and 2nd in total yards in 2024. Keeping Williams in the fold ensures continuity for QB Jared Goff and maintains the unit’s multi-level threat profile.
Could Jameson Williams Be a Trade Chip in 2026?
With his new extension structured to be cap-friendly, the Lions could face an intriguing decision down the road — and the answer comes in two parts.
First: Williams’ combination of speed, production, and a team-friendly deal would make him one of the league’s most valuable trade assets. In the right market, he could command a massive return in draft capital. If Isaac TeSlaa’s development continues to accelerate, and young receivers like Jackson Meeks and Dominic Lovett emerge, Detroit could roll with St. Brown as the primary, TeSlaa as the No. 2, and trust the youth movement. With seven legitimate offensive threats, there’s a point where you’re paying for luxury, not necessity.
Second: Keeping Williams — especially if the deal includes his fully guaranteed fifth-year option — would preserve roster stability and allow the Lions to keep extending their homegrown talent. He’d remain a proven insurance policy if another top weapon went down, and his big-play ability ensures Detroit’s offense can strike from anywhere on the field.
Either path underscores the same reality: Williams’ value to the Lions, whether on the roster or on the trade block, will be immense.
Final Take
Jameson Williams’ extension is both a reward for his breakout season and a bet on his continued growth. The Lions are signaling they believe his ceiling is worth top-tier WR money — and they’re willing to pay now to avoid an even steeper price later.
As Detroit opens the season against Green Bay, the message to the NFC North is clear: the Lions are building to win now and for years to come.
Sources
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