Jamaal Williams becoming member of Saints
What it means:
The New Orleans Saints are signing running back Jamaal Williams to a three-year, $12 million contract.
Williams led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns on the Detroit Lions last season and recorded his first 1,000-yard rushing season. His previous high-water mark was 601 yards in the year prior. Turning 28 in April, Williams will complement Alvin Kamara in the Saints' backfield and likely vulture some short-yardage scores. He carries additional upside because Kamara is facing a potential suspension for an off-field incident in Las Vegas.
Williams rushed 262 times for 1,066 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Lions last season. He had the most carries in the league inside the 10-yard line (46) and the five-yard line (34).
The Saints and Williams agreed to terms on a three-year contract Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
What it means:
After racking up an NFL-high and team-record 17 rushing touchdowns for the Lions last season, Williams now will move on to the third organization of his career. With New Orleans, he'll be the clear second option out of the backfield behind Alvin Kamara, but Williams still should earn his typical allotment of short-yardage and goal-line work.
General manager Brad Holmes said Wednesday that Williams and the Lions have begun negotiations on a new contract with mutual interest, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
What it means:
Williams is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in roughly two weeks, but Holmes said contract negotiations have already begun and "there's a mutual interest to hopefully get [Williams] back." The veteran running back, who will turn 28 in April, had a career-high 1,066 rushing yards across 17 games in 2022 and led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns, and has clearly demonstrated an ability to excel in Detroit's scheme. Williams has additionally made it clear that he would like to remain with the Lions, so there's reason to believe that both sides could come to terms on an agreeable deal.
Williams rushed 16 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 20-16 win over Green Bay.
What it means:
Williams finished the regular season in style with two more touchdowns to add to his league-leading total of 17 rushing scores this year. In addition to becoming a touchdown monster in 2022, the veteran back also eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing plateau for the first time in his six-year career. Williams will enter the upcoming offseason an unrestricted free agent, and his impressive play should have plenty of suitors lining up for the 27-year-old.
Williams rushed 22 times for 144 yards with one touchdown while securing his only target for 13 yards during Sunday's 41-10 win over Chicago.
What it means:
The Lions offensive line dominated the Bears defensive front all game long, allowing both Williams and D'Andre Swift to post big numbers in the box score. Considering Williams totaled just 81 rushing yards in his three previous games, this gaudy production was a handsome reward for fantasy managers who stuck with Williams during fantasy championship week (in most settings). With Detroit needing a win in Week 18 to lock up a playoff spot, look for Williams to again handle a heavy workload in the cold weather of Green Bay.
Williams (leg) isn't listed on the Week 17 injury report ahead of a matchup with the Bears.
What it means:
Williams sat out the fourth quarter of Saturday's 37-23 loss to the Panthers after suffering an apparent leg injury in the third quarter. It turns out it wasn't even serious enough to get him on the injury report four days later, suggesting he might've even returned Saturday if the Lions hadn't been down by three or more scores for most of the second half. In any case, Williams will continue to split backfield work with D'Andre Swift and Justin Jackson when the Lions host the Bears this Sunday.
