By Moses Joshua 
After the bye week, Detroit aims to unlock the full potential of its blazing-fast wide receiver to elevate offensive production.
Reimagining the Offense After the Bye
The Detroit Lions find themselves at a pivotal juncture as they fine-tune their offensive identity for the stretch run. While the dynamic duo of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs has powered much of Detroit’s recent success, the coaching staff is turning renewed attention toward one player whose ceiling still seems untapped — Jameson Williams.
Through seven games, the explosive wideout has seen his usage decline, with targets dropping from around six per game last season to just 4.5 this year. For a player known for his ability to stretch the field and ignite momentum with a single catch, that decline has raised eyebrows both inside and outside the organization.
The issue isn’t simply a matter of opportunity — the Lions’ offensive tempo has slowed, and defensive coordinators have begun scheming specifically to contain Williams’ deep-threat potential. But with the team returning from the bye, there’s a growing belief that the playbook could soon open up in ways that make Williams a central figure once again.
Unlocking Williams’ Full Potential
The Lions’ coaching staff and several analysts have pointed to one clear adjustment: diversifying Williams’ route tree. Currently, his average depth of target sits around 17 yards, showing that he’s being used primarily as a vertical threat. While that plays to his strengths, it also limits the number of touches he gets — and makes the offense easier to predict.
To change that, Detroit is expected to incorporate more short and intermediate plays designed to get the ball into Williams’ hands quickly. Plays such as jet sweeps and screen passes could turn his world-class speed into consistent production. By allowing Williams to create separation early and rack up yards after the catch, the Lions can force defenses to stretch horizontally as well as vertically.
“Getting him the ball in space is key,” one team insider noted. “When he’s moving, he’s almost impossible to contain. You don’t need a 40-yard bomb every time to make him effective.”
A Catalyst for an Offensive Surge
The payoff for recalibrating Williams’ role could be significant. Opposing defenses already struggle to contain St. Brown’s route precision and Gibbs’ versatility out of the backfield. Adding a rejuvenated Williams into that mix would give quarterback Jared Goff yet another explosive option — one capable of flipping a game in an instant.
If Detroit succeeds in weaving Williams more tightly into the offensive fabric, the Lions could evolve from being one of the league’s most efficient units to one of its most unpredictable and dangerous.
As the season’s second half looms, the message is clear: Jameson Williams isn’t just a supporting piece — he’s a game-changer waiting to be unleashed.