Raymond gave Williams a lot of credit for how much his diligence paid off in 2023.
According to Tim Twentyman of Detroit Lions.com, Raymond stated, “I am really proud of watching him and all the plays that he’s had over this postseason run and the later half of the season.” He was putting in so much labor that nothing he accomplished surprised anyone. The amount of work he put in was quite astounding.
“Dude, you have to go up there with your distance before, after, and during practice. It must be making some progress. He worked hard when no one else was around.
Williams developed his diligence into a solid performance in the title game. On the first play of the game, he ran for a 42-yard score. Against the San Francisco 49ers, Williams also had a 22-yard reception and a 3-yard touchdown catch.
Jameson Williams of the Lions Makes significant progress in 2023
To suggest that Williams’ career took a significant turn in 2023 would definitely be overstating things. However, compared to last year, the 22-year-old is in a far better position currently.
Following a shortened rookie season due to an ACL injury sustained in college, Williams made waves on social media throughout the previous offseason.Mike Valenti, a sports radio presenter from Detroit on 97.1 Williams’ setting off explosives on July 4th to commemorate American Independence Day, drew harsh criticism from The Ticket.
With regard to his social media sites, the receiver also seemed to be lacking in self-awareness. Williams retweeted on March 7 a suggestion that the Lions bench quarterback Jared Goff in favor of Baltimore Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson.
In April, Williams was suspended six games by the NFL for gambling infractions. A few days later, he uploaded a video to his Instagram Live account of himself enjoying a boxing bout in Las Vegas.
Williams’ four-game suspension was lowered by the NFL. However, he was only four weeks into his career and had only one catch in a season when he returned on October 8.
Williams had 24 catches, 354 receiving yards, and two touchdowns at the end of the 2023 regular season. Afterwards, he caught two passes in each of the three playoff games the squad played.
Although those aren’t very impressive numbers, Williams’ teammates and coaches made a point of telling the public that he was improving every week.
Williams might be the Lions’ top wide receiver next season, replacing Amon-Ra St. Brown, depending on what they do in free agency.
Williams, like the Lions, is seeking atonement.
It goes without saying that the Lions want to maintain their advantage and make it back to the NFC title game. The team’s blunders in the 49ers game might serve as fuel for the entire summer.
Williams might not be any different.
Williams grabbed two of his three targets and scored two touchdowns, but the one he failed to catch had the potential to make a big impact.
Williams seemed not to anticipate the ball and slowed down on his path to the target he was unable to catch. Williams kept up with Goff’s pass thanks to his incredible speed, but the ball managed to get past his fingertips and into the end zone.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Lions were behind by three points at that moment. The closing eight minutes would have had a completely different feel if Williams had produced a huge play.
The Lions mishandled the ball on three downs following the misunderstanding between Goff and Williams.
It wouldn’t be shocking if Williams made even more of an effort in 2024 to make up for lost time.
