Running back Jamaal Williams had a career season with the Detroit Lions in 2022. He was thrust into a larger role because of injuries to D’Andre Swift and he responded with some big performances throughout the season.
Jamaal Williams set career-highs with 262 carries for 1,066 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was a big reason that the Lions’ offense was as efficient as it was because when they got near the goal line, he was punching the ball in for a score.
The turnaround that the Lions are experiencing, Jamaal Williams had a big part in it, too. He was a pillar for the kind of culture that head coach Dan Campbell was looking to build as the perfect fit as a veteran leader. You saw how much the coaching staff and his teammates loved him during Hard Knocks.
Alas, all good things must come to an end eventually. After two seasons in Detroit, it was time for Jamaal Williams to move on. He ended up signing a three-year, $12 million deal with the New Orleans Saints in free agency to become the thunder to Alvin Kamara’s lightning.
During his introductory press conference in New Orleans, Jamaal Williams was not shy about sharing his feelings about how things went this offseason with the Lions. He threw some shade at the organization, as he very clearly got their message of no longer having him in their plans.
“The offer they gave me, I feel like was very just disrespectful and just showing they really didn’t want me to really be there,” Jamaal Williams said at his Saints press conference.
The Lions wasted little time in finding a replacement for him, as they agreed to a three-year deal with David Montgomery, formerly of the Chicago Bears. Montgomery is viewed as an upgrade by some within the organization, but he has some massive shoes to fill.
The impact that Jamaal Williams had on the team went beyond production on the field. That was an important voice in their locker room and he will assuredly be missed by everyone there.
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