Over the weekend, the Detroit Lions stirred up a little buzz by hosting Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden for a top-30 visit ahead of the NFL Draft. Golden is projected to go in the first round and plays a similar role to Jameson Williams — which, naturally, sparked chatter about whether Detroit is quietly preparing to move on from their former first-round speedster.
But let’s be real — trading Williams now would be a major misstep.
For starters, it’s unclear what kind of return the Lions could even get. Williams had a breakout 2024 season, but that’s really the only year he’s produced at a high level. Compared to what Tennessee got for A.J. Brown or what San Francisco didn’t get for Brandon Aiyuk, the Lions would probably only net a second-rounder at best. That’s not a great return for a guy taken 12th overall just a few years ago.
Then there’s the cap situation. Williams is only costing $5.4 million this season, and the Lions are in a healthy spot financially. The real cap crunch won’t come until those looming extensions for guys like Aidan Hutchinson, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Brian Branch start to kick in over the next few years. No need to rush a move just to clear space that isn’t tight yet.
Even if Detroit decides they won’t extend Williams long term, keeping him for one more year makes way more sense. Let him build on his 2024 campaign, boost his value, and then revisit trade options. Plus, ditching a proven receiver on a rookie deal during a Super Bowl push — especially for a rookie who may or may not pan out — feels like backward logic.
Right now, there’s no concrete evidence the Lions are actually shopping Williams. But if they are even thinking about it, they’d be wise to hold off.
Too Soon to Say Goodbye: Lions Need More Time with Jameson Williams
