Lions OC John Morton says he's 'failed' Jameson Williams this season, vows to get WR more involved

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton played wide receiver at Western Michigan and then professionally as part of the CFL and the World League of American Football after bouncing around NFL practice squads. He's coached the position at the college and NFL levels.

He knows how much work goes into pass catching.

So he would have understood why one of his most highly paid wideouts would be frustrated with only 17 receptions through seven games of the season.

But Jameson Williams told reporters Thursday that he's not pressed about his limited touches on the heels of his first 1,000-yard receiving campaign and his three-year extension that's reportedly worth up to $83 million.

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"He came to me and expressed to me how he felt," Williams said in reference to Morton's conversation with the fourth-year wideout in between the Lions' break in games, according to ESPN.

"But with me, I really wasn't taking it too far into thinking about it. We [were] winning games and things like that, so I can never get myself too worked up with me getting the ball or me getting targeted or things like that. I know it's gonna come. It's a long season."

The Lions improved to 5-2 with a 24-9 win over the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. Williams, though, went catch-less in a game for the first time since the 2023 season.

Morton explained Thursday in his news conference that he poured into the Lions' first seven games of tape during the bye week, and he vowed to get Williams more involved and more open in an offense that's tied for fifth in the league in yards per play (5.9) and ranks third in the NFL in points per game (30.7).

"I looked at everything, as far as that," the first-year Detroit OC said. "I'm going to do a better job with that. But there has been opportunities where it just didn't happen. It's not like we ain't going to try to target him. So that was the biggest thing."

He added: "I definitely ... I failed him. That's what I told him. I have to do a better job with that. But it's a two-way street. We definitely looked at that."

Williams has been targeted 30 times this season, twice more than running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has nine more receptions than Williams. That said, most of Gibbs' targets have come close to or behind the line of scrimmage, whereas, according to PFF, eight of Williams' targets have arrived at least 20 yards downfield.

Still, Williams' target share pales in comparison to that of fellow wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. The three-time Pro Bowler has 50 grabs on 61 targets this season.

Plus, Williams has a mere three rushing attempts to his name. Last season, he piled up 11 totes and scored on the ground in the regular season and postseason.

"I know my time coming," Williams said Thursday, via ESPN. "I know it's coming, so I'm ready whenever it comes."

Broncos named a fit for painfully obvious trade deadline target on offense

Now 6-2 on the season, the Denver Broncos will be 7-2 or 6-3 at the NFL trade deadline, which is on November 4th, right after Week 9 action. They'll be in a legitimate position to add a player of note for the first time in a decade.

But that doesn't mean Denver will make a move. They might stand pat, as the argument for doing so is that they've stacked a ton of wins with the guys they have, so why make a move? On the flip side, the argument is that the

Broncos have a few positions in need of a boost, so bringing in some help could push them over the edge.

If nothing else, the Broncos are at least making calls, so they could make a move, and they were recently named as a fit for an extremely obvious target to bolster the offense at the deadline.

Bleacher Report names WR Chris Olave a fit for the Denver Broncos at the trade deadline

Here is Brad Gagnon in Bleacher Report on Chris Olave being a fit for the Denver Broncos:

Denver Broncos: Acquire WR Chris Olave from the Saints

Bo Nix could definitely use another weapon, and Olave brings talent and upside to that receiving corps without likely commanding a lot considering the Saints' situation. These teams could also come together in a deal for New Orleans cornerback Alontae Taylor, considering the recent pectoral injury suffered by Pat Surtain.

The bonus trade in here for Alontae Taylor would actually be fun, as Patrick Surtain II is likely missing multiple games, and he's the best CB in the NFL, so adding a player at that position might now be more important than wide receiver..

However, it's not hard to see why the Broncos might need a boost at this position, and these two teams have engaged in a WR trade recently, as Denver send Devaughn Vele to the Saints. With Olave still being younger, the Saints might have some long-term plans to keep him, but if the Broncos make a strong enough offer, I would think New Orleans could pull the trigger.

Chris Olave began his career with two-straight 1,000-yard seasons, but did not reach that mark in dude, as he was injured for a chunk of the year. In 2025, Olave is on pace for 111 catches, 1,069 yards, and six touchdowns, so he's on pace for a good bit of production.

I don't envision the Broncos having to give him a ton for Olave, either, as he'd need a long-term deal. This player-team fit makes a lot of sense.

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