By Sunday 
It might still be early in the offseason, but the energy coming out of Detroit is already electric. Two names are drawing all the buzz from Lions OTAs — running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Jameson Williams — and head coach Dan Campbell is clearly impressed.
Let’s break down why the hype trains for both are already full steam ahead.
Williams Looks Locked In
Jameson Williams may have changed jersey numbers — ditching No. 9 for the flashier No. 1 — but it’s not just the uniform that looks different. His presence on the field has been undeniable so far.
Williams, who was Jared Goff’s second-favorite target in 2024, is reportedly lighting up OTA practices with highlight-reel plays. According to Campbell, Williams has been one of the standouts through two weeks — and it’s not hard to see why fans and coaches are getting excited.
He’s been battling personal challenges since entering the league, but 2025 might finally be the season where everything clicks. With Amon-Ra St. Brown temporarily sidelined following a minor knee procedure, Williams has stepped up in a big way. That’s exactly the kind of growth Detroit’s offense needs.
Gibbs Is Already in Midseason Form
Then there’s Jahmyr Gibbs — a player who seems allergic to taking days off. While it’s technically “just OTAs,” Gibbs is treating these workouts like Week 1.
With David Montgomery still working his way back from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in 2024, Gibbs has once again assumed the lead-back responsibilities — and he’s thriving. Campbell’s praise for Gibbs came as no surprise to anyone watching practice.
“The Sonic to David Montgomery’s Knuckles,” as one writer cleverly put it, looks like he’s already in midseason form. Explosive, sharp, and locked in — exactly what you want from a young back tasked with carrying the offense through the early stages of the season.
Others Getting Noticed
While Gibbs and Williams stole the spotlight, Campbell also shouted out a few other players. Tight end Sam LaPorta — who had a stellar rookie year — is continuing to build momentum heading into 2025. And cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., recovering from injury, is showing signs that he could be a key piece in the Lions’ revamped secondary.
Yes, Williams did burn Rakestraw in one now-viral clip, but don’t let that fool you — the rookie held his own in coverage throughout drills. And with free-agent signing D.J. Reed also now in the mix, Detroit’s defensive backfield is shaping up nicely.
Big Expectations for 2025
For a team still smarting from a tough end to the 2024 postseason, it’s reassuring to see key players taking the lead this early. With St. Brown expected back for training camp and veterans like Gibbs and Williams setting the tone, the Lions are doing all the right things to make sure last season’s playoff stumble doesn’t turn into a 2025 regression.
The season might be months away, but Dan Campbell’s squad is already laying the groundwork — and it’s players like Gibbs and Williams leading the charge.