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Eric Woodyard
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams agreed on a three-year extension worth up to $83 million, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
The two sides agreed to the new deal less than 24 hours before the Lions’ season opener at the Green Bay Packers.
However, although the Lions and Pro Bowl edge Aidan Hutchinson have had positive contract conversations, they are not expected to reach a deal before the season starts, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Williams, 24, is coming off his first 1,000-yard receiving season and was entering the fourth year of his rookie contract, which included a fifth-year option. With Lions new offensive coordinator John Morton, Williams is expected to take on a bigger role alongside All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Detroit traded up 20 spots to make Williams the 12th selection out of Alabama in the 2022 NFL draft, and he has continued to improve. He experienced a breakout year in 2024 when he had seven receiving touchdowns as a deep-ball threat while also racking up 61 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
With the core group returning, Williams anticipates a “fun” 2025 season for Detroit. He believed he made the biggest strides in becoming a more complete receiver this offseason.
“As you come in, I felt like I was getting used in certain ways, but now, it’s opening up the doors for coaches to use me in different ways,” Williams said during Thursday’s practice. “So, it’s a lot more ways I’m being used, and I just locked in on everything.”
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz first reported Williams’ deal.
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