By Blessing 
Are the Lions Preparing to Move on from Jameson Williams?
The Detroit Lions’ future with Jameson Williams has been called into question, especially after reports surfaced that Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden recently visited the Lions for a pre-draft meeting. This development has led some to wonder if Williams could be replaced during this year’s draft.
Although the Lions are expected to exercise Williams’ fifth-year option, keeping him in Detroit until the end of the 2026 season, the team may still look to add more affordable wide receiver options. With key 2023 draft picks like Jack Campbell, Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta potentially needing long-term extensions soon, the Lions may need to manage their salary cap more strategically.
As beat writer Dave Birkett pointed out, “In Golden, the Lions could find a more cost-controlled deep threat for their offense, one that would help give them the financial flexibility to re-sign key players at other positions.” Essentially, if Detroit drafts Golden, they might be able to move on from Williams without straining their financial flexibility.
In an even more intriguing twist, blogger Mike Payton from A to Z Sports suggested that fans shouldn’t be shocked if general manager Brad Holmes decides to trade Williams if Golden is selected with the 28th overall pick. “If the Lions were to take Golden with the 28th pick, they could then trade Williams and save a lot of money that they can use to make sure that Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Jack Campbell, Kerby Joseph, and Aidan Hutchinson all get paid their top-of-the-league extension money they’re all expected to get,” Payton explained.
While it’s unlikely that Detroit will part ways with Williams this year, especially with the team’s Super Bowl window open, the situation could change beyond 2026. The Lions could still hold on to Williams using the franchise tag, much like the Bengals did with Tee Higgins before he secured a long-term contract.
In any case, all eyes will be on Detroit’s draft decisions to see if Williams’ future in Detroit remains secure or if the team opts for a fresh start.