Lions Have Not Made or Taken Calls to Trade Jameson Williams
In the days leading up to the draft, there have been rumors swirling about the potential of the Detroit Lions entertaining trade offers for wide receiver Jameson Williams.
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The Lions can keep him under team control by exercising the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, which would keep him with the team through the 2026 season.
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HBAgency
Reports indicated that with the uncertainty of his future with the team beyond his rookie deal, some around the league believed he could be available.
Sports Illustrated Senior NFL Insider Albert Breer noted, “Receiver’s another spot to consider—with a fifth-year option decision coming on Jameson Williams, and some in NFL circles believing he could be traded.”
However, Lions’ general manager Brad Holmes disputed that report during his press conference following the team’s selection of defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first-round of the NFL draft.
“No. No, that’s something that we have never entertained,” Holmes explained. “I don’t know where that report came from, but that is not a conversation that me and Dan (Campbell) has ever had.”
The Lions have until May 1 to accept or decline Williams’ fifth-year option, which is expected to cost $15.493 million.
Detroit already has one receiver on an expensive deal, with Amon-Ra St. Brown entering the first year of a four-year contract extension that will pay him $30 million per year. As a result, the idea of paying two receivers a hefty amount can seem difficult.
While Holmes was not asked about Williams’ long-term future with the team, he was steadfast in stating that the team has not explored the idea of trading him ahead of the 2025 season. Williams surpassed 1,000 yards for the first time in his career in 2024 and notched career-high totals in yards, receptions and receiving touchdowns.
Lions Have Not Made or Taken Calls to Trade Jameson Williams: A Deep Dive into the Situation
Jameson Williams, the 2022 first-round pick of the Detroit Lions, has had an eventful start to his professional career in the NFL. As of 2025, his journey with the Lions has been filled with flashes of brilliance but also overshadowed by injuries and questions regarding his role in the team’s future. Despite some ups and downs, reports have recently suggested that the Detroit Lions have neither made nor received calls to trade Jameson Williams. This scenario prompts a closer examination of Williams’ career, his impact on the team, and the broader context of trade rumors in the NFL. In this article, we’ll explore why the Lions may be holding onto Williams despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.
The Draft and the Early Promise
Jameson Williams was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The wide receiver from the University of Alabama was one of the most highly anticipated prospects in the 2022 class. Williams showcased an incredible blend of speed, route-running ability, and playmaking skills that immediately caught the attention of scouts, coaches, and analysts alike. Known for his ability to stretch the field and create separation, Williams was expected to be a game-changer for the Lions’ offense, pairing with other young talents such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff.
However, Williams’ college career was marred by a torn ACL during the National Championship game in January 2022. This injury raised questions about how long it would take Williams to recover and contribute at the NFL level. Despite the injury, the Lions took a calculated risk by selecting Williams, believing his explosive potential was worth the gamble. His recovery timeline pushed his NFL debut back to Week 13 of the 2022 season, which was a setback in terms of building chemistry with the team.