Lions Officially Announce Massive Jameson Williams Contract Extension
On Sunday morning, the day of their season-opening matchup against their division-rival Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions officially announced their massive contract extension for WR Jameson Williams. The speedster wide receiver and former first-round pick was a big part of Detroit’s offense last season, and now he’s locked up for the foreseeable future.
According to NFL inside Jordan Schultz on Saturday, the Lions signed Williams to a three-year deal worth up to $83 million on the eve of the season. The extension officially keeps Williams under contract through 2029, as he was still on the fourth year of his rookie contract this season and could have played on the fifth-year option in 2026.
Schultz adds that the deal carries $67 million in guarantees, a hefty number. The $27.6 million in average annual value ranks 13th in the league among wide receivers, just above the Bears’ D.J. Moore and just under the Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle.
“The Lions have signed WR Jameson Williams to a contract extension,” the team’s press release reads. “Among all NFL players in 2024, he tied for 1st in 50+ yard catches (five) & was 2nd in receiving average (17.3). Among all NFL WRs with 50+ catches last year, he ranked 1st in YAC/reception (8.6).”
Jameson Williams Had a Breakout Season in 2024
Mike Mulholland/GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Jameson Williams #9 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a first down during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
It wasn’t a banner start to his career for Williams. The former star at Alabama in college was the No. 12 overall pick in 2022. The Lions paid a steep price to get him, trading a first-rounder (No. 32), a second-rounder (No. 34), and a third-rounder for the No. 2 pick and a lower second-rounder (No. 46). Detroit had already used a first-round pick that year on OT Penei Sewell (No. 7).
Williams was recovering from an ACL tear as a rookie and only played in six games, logging a single reception. But that one catch went for 41 yards and a touchdown, flashing his high-level potential as a game-breaking speed threat.
With just 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, many were wondering if the Lions had made a mistake drafting Williams so high. But he put those concerns to rest in a breakout 2024 campaign, when he had 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns, adding an important field-stretching ability to the Lions offense.
The Detroit Lions Offense Will Have Some New Pieces This Season
The high-flying Lions offense will have some new elements this season. Star offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, taking his ingenuity and creativity with him. Internal promotion John Morton has big shoes to fill, but the team has every confidence in him.
Along the offensive line, C Frank Ragnow retired and G Kevin Zeitler signed with the Titans in free agency. Graham Glasgow slides over to center to replace Ragnow, while rookie second-rounder Tate Ratledge steps in at RG for Zeitler.
Despite the new faces, this Lions offense should remain one of the NFL’s best — even if it looks a little different.
Braves claim $4M reliever off waivers from Dodgers — brother of Atlanta's most-hated rival
The Atlanta Braves are just trying to make it to the end of the regular season after the worst one they have had in several years. The Braves are expected to make numerous changes to the roster next season, and some moves are already underway with waiver additions. Additionally, manager Brian Snitker is expected to retire at the end of the season.
“Because of that consistent recent success, Snit would normally be afforded a ‘mulligan’ year—even though going from the second-best preseason World Series odds to possibly the third-best odds of winning the draft lottery is a pretty serious mulligan,” Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote. “At 69, though, he's already the oldest manager in the National League by a several-year margin and was likely to retire at the end of this season, which is the last one in his current contract.”
The Braves are still adding to the team this season, focusing mostly on pitching, as Atlanta has struggled to keep players healthy. On Sunday, they claimed Alexis Diaz off waivers.
“The Braves have claimed Alexis Diaz off waivers from the Dodgers, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic. Atlanta has space available on its 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary to bring Diaz into the organization,” MLBtraderumors.com’s Nick Deeds wrote.
Diaz was just released by the defending World Series Champion Dodgers earlier in the week.
“The Dodgers announced that they have selected the contract of catcher Ben Rortvedt, a move that was previously reported. In corresponding moves, they optioned infielder Alex Freeland and designated right-hander Alexis Díaz for assignment,” MLBtraderumors.com’s Darragh McDonald wrote.
