Detroit Lions fans may always have a soft spot in their heart for running back Jamaal Williams after his resurgence alongside David Montgomery in his time with Dan Campbell's squad, but it appears as though the old-school goal line sledgehammer is running out of road in the NFL.
After getting a major boost to his status within the league after running for 17 touchdowns during the 2022 season, the former Packers draft pick signed with the New Orleans Saints in order to provide another strong 1-2 punch alongside Alvin Kamara.
While the Lions managed to move on from this breakup quite well, drafting one of the best in the game in running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Williams, meanwhile, did not have a very productive time under Dennis Allen, rushing for just 470 yards in two seasons and running for just two touchdowns in that span.
Williams is not 30 years old, fresh off the worst season of his career, and trying to find work in a league that just saw a major influx of talent from a deep running back class in the 2024 NFL Draft. It seems very unlikely that Williams is going to find work anytime soon.
Former Lions RB Jamaal Williams may not play again if he is not signed soon
Williams carried the ball 48 times for just 164 yards last season with the Saints, showing that his 2022 season appears to be more of a fluke than an indication of his true skill level. Williams has just 15 rushing touchdowns in his career outside of 2022, meaning more than half of his scores came in that season.
Williams was never the most fleet of foot running back in the world, which limited his attractiveness on the open market. It appears as though his breakout season with the Lions was full of more Montgomery TD vultures from one or two yards out than anything else.
Williams is now on the wrong side of 30 years old, which can often serve as a serious death knell for the running back position. With a lack of peed and poor results in New Orleans, his NFL career appears to be hanging on by a thread.
Williams will always have that 2022 season, which helped turn the Lions from a laughing stock to a respectable opponent who can compete for a championship, to endear him to Detroit fans. However, if he goes unsigned, that could be the last call for his pro journey.
