Incredible teammate, leader, Pokémon lover, great interview. These are just some of the reasons Jamaal Williams has become a fan favorite in Detroit.
It also doesn’t hurt that Williams’ on-field performance during the 2022 season resulted in 1,066 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.
With that said, Williams is an unrestricted free agency entering the off-season. And despite ample cap space and a need at running back, there is a legitimate question whether the Detroit Lions will re-sign him this off-season.
What follows are the reasons why Williams’ return should be a no-brainer for the franchise
The Lions currently only have two running backs under contract for the 2023 season – D’Andre Swift and Jermar Jefferson (reserve/future contract). The organization will need to add at least one, most likely two, running backs to the roster before the season begins.
Swift is guaranteed to be on the roster due to his rookie contract (Swift carries a very manageable $2.7 million cap hit in 2023). He has also shown the ability to be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, with the ability to be an explosive playmaker in the running game. However, Swift’s ability to remain healthy is a big concern and makes him a liability – he has missed 10 games through his first three seasons and has been limited in other games.
On the other hand, Williams did not miss a game in 2022 and has only missed eight games during his six-year career. He is reliable, even though Williams has been depended on for short-yardage and goal line work throughout his career.
Of Williams 30 career touchdowns, 22 have come from within two-yards (19 from one-yard out). While touchdowns are a weak argument for the quality of a running back – Aaron Jones only had two rushing touchdowns in 2022 despite rushing for over 1,100 yards and over five yards per carry – it is an indication of efficiency.
Another reason the Lions should make Williams a priority this off-season is his age compared to his market value.
Williams will be 28-years-old for the 2023 season. According to Pro Football Focus, running backs tend to not show decline until their age-30 season – a steeper decline is expected when entering the age-31 season. While the Lions would be wise to not extend Williams into the 2025 season, the organization should feel comfortable with a two-year contract offer.
When determining Williams contract value, Spotrac projects Williams market value at an average of $4.1 million over two years. Over the Cap projects his market value at $4.4 million per year.
However, it would not be surprising to see Williams exceed that projection on his new deal. A comparable running back, James Conner, signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals prior to the 2022 season. Conner, however, offers more as pass-catching option than Williams which enhances his value.
Lastly, and probably most significantly, Williams has become a strong vocal leader and a beloved teammate during his time in Detroit.
While for some organizations this would not be a valid reason to re-sign a player, the Lions are a franchise attempting to turn around a culture of losing and a reputation of not being player-friendly (see the exits of Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson). General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have made culture and relationships their top priorities since arriving in Detroit.
NFL free agency begins on March 15, 2023. There are many moves the Lions should, and likely will, make. Re-signing Jamaal Williams is near the top of that list.
