Jamaal Williams is staying in the NFC. The free agent running back is signing with the Saints, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
Williams is inking a three-year deal with the Saints, according to Schefter. The three-year pact is worth $12MM, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The deal includes $8MM in guaranteed money.
There was some initial hope that the veteran would end up returning to Detroit next season, but those hopes were seemingly eliminated when the Lions pivoted to David Montgomery. Most recently, Williams was connected to a number of potential suitors, including the Bills, Bengals, Panthers, and Bears, per Tyler Dunne on Twitter.
Instead, Williams will land in a bit of a surprising spot in New Orleans, although he appears to be a natural fit behind Alvin Kamara. Backup running backs Mark Ingram and David Johnson are both free agents, and Williams provides much more upside than that duo either as a change-of-pace RB or as a fill-in to the starter.
Williams made a name for himself in Green Bay, collecting at least 600 yards from scrimmage in each of his four seasons with the Packers thanks in part to his pass-catching ability. He joined the Lions prior to the 2021 campaign and had modest success during his first season with the organization, compiling 758 yards from scrimmage.
The RB was a touchdown machine in 2022. Williams ended up leading the NFL with a whopping 17 rushing touchdowns while adding a career-high 1,066 rushing yards on 262 carries. The Saints shouldn’t expect that kind of production in 2023, although the team will be much less reliant on the RB’s production than the Lions were in 2022.
wow. thought he was gonna follow duce Staley to carolina
Dang.. only $4 million a year? The way reports sounded he wanted more than $6 million that the Lions gave Montgomery.. DMo is a clear upgrade over him though but Jamaal was the heartbeat of the offense. Not sure if Kamara is facing a lengthy suspension this year or not but New Orleans will be in good hands if he is.
this is a surprise as it looks like he turned down $18M w/ $11M guaranteed for 3 years from the Lions to accepts a $12M/$8M guaranteed for 3 years from the Saints. From a simple math perspective, he decided to take $3M less to play for a new team, vs. wanting to remain in Detroit, which he was so passionate about doing. WOW, his agent must be some very super smart guy to steer Jamaal to this deal! Something certainly does not seem right about how all of this went down as I was under the impression Jamaal was smarter than this. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb move š
Who said he turned down that deal? I don’t see anything saying he turned that down..
He was not offered that much by Detroit or he would’ve signed with them. He wanted a little more salary than the Lions gave DMo but the Lions thought he was a clear upgrade from JWill. He had a good year for Detroit but alot of that was due to the O-line. Unfortunately he won’t have that same line in NO. Great guy though, wish him well!
With everyone back and assuming everyone stays healthy the Saints O-line should hover around 10ish in the rankings..Williams will be fine
So he took less money to go to the Saints than to stay with the Lions? I couldāve sworn there was āmutual interestā in him staying in Detroit. This is a very puzzling move.
He is going to wish he stayed in Detroit
Why is that? Elaborate
There was an article in a Detroit paper that mentions that he was offered a similar contract is DMo, but was holding out for more. It looks like he overplayed his value to the team. Good move by B- Holmes.
I don’t know the number but I read an article of him saying he felt disrespected by Detroit’s offer…whether that’s true or not I don’t know