Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams had a standout performance in their September 9 win against the Los Angeles Rams, marking his first significant breakthrough after a challenging start to his career.

In the team’s 26-20 overtime victory, Williams registered five catches for a career-best 121 yards and scored a touchdown.

This strong showing comes after the departure of No. 2 receiver Josh Reynolds, elevating expectations for the third-year player.

Williams expressed that his impressive game was a result of the rigorous offseason preparation he undertook. He anticipated such a performance and views it as just the beginning.

“This is just Game 1,” Williams noted, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I put in a lot of work, so I expected a big game.

For me, it’s not about it being the best game of my career, but the start of many great performances.”

Williams’ breakout was highly anticipated after a difficult start to his career.

He missed most of his rookie season recovering from a torn ACL and faced a four-game suspension in his second year due to a violation of league gambling policies.

Although he struggled initially in 2023, he ended the season strong, including two touchdowns in the NFC Championship game.

Head coach Dan Campbell praised Williams for his progress, calling him the team’s most improved player earlier in the year.

Following the victory, Campbell confirmed that Williams met his expectations and highlighted that his performance was even more impressive considering it wasn’t his best game. “He showed up and played well,” Campbell said.

“There’s still room for improvement, but the work he’s put in is evident. As he continues to develop, he’ll only get better.”

Campbell expressed pride in Williams’ progress while noting that there is still much for him to work on to reach his full potential.