Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams made it clear on Thursday: he’s here to stay, and he couldn’t be happier about it.
After officially inking a three-year extension worth up to $83 million, the former first-round pick is locked in with Detroit through the 2029 season. For Williams, it’s not just about the money, it’s about the city, the fans, and the culture that’s been building inside Ford Field.
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Finding a True Home in Detroit
Speaking with reporters after practice, Williams explained that his decision to commit long-term wasn’t hard.
“I found a home here,” Williams said as quoted by Lions OnSI. “I feel very comfortable with the staff, my brothers that I play with and go to war with every week. So, that was the main thing. My brothers came. My brothers was on my mind, going out and going to war with them. I wouldn’t want to do it with nobody else different. By the way we practice and go hard with each other all-year round. So, you know, that was the main thing.”
Williams has become a fixture in Detroit’s locker room, and that sense of family played a huge role in his extension.
Watching the Culture Shift
When Williams was drafted, the Lions weren’t yet viewed as a legitimate powerhouse. That’s changed dramatically since his rookie season.
“I enjoy just the culture of Detroit. When I came here, things was on the down side of the City. You know, losing games, not winning,” Williams reflected. “And it’s been going uphill ever since I got here. So, the culture has been changed. I wouldn’t say it changed actually, because it’s always been that. The game’s have always been packed, since we were 1-5 my rookie year. And we turned it around, you know, the game’s been selling out.”
Ford Field is now one of the loudest and most intimidating venues in the NFL, and Williams has been right in the middle of that transformation.
Jameson Williams
Embracing the Fans and the City
For Williams, part of what makes Detroit feel like home is how genuine the fan base has been toward him.
“The City — you go around the City, there are multiple fans approaching you to ask for pictures, autographs. I have never had a bad interaction with a fan or nobody,” he said. “I never tell a fan no to a picture or a signature. So, I just love the City. I love the culture of the City. It’s not too much different from home where I come from. A lot of similarities and everything. So, I just feel comfortable.”
That bond between Williams and Detroit only seems to be getting stronger. With the extension now complete, Lions fans can expect plenty more big plays and plenty more autographs from No. 1 in the years ahead.