The 2024 season marked a significant year for Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. His first two seasons were affected by his recovery from a torn ACL as a rookie, followed by a gambling suspension and the work he needed to put in to develop as a complete receiver in Year 2.

From the start of the offseason, Williams appeared to understand the importance of his third season for his career. He carried that strong work ethic into the season, surpassing 1,000 yards for the first time and finishing second in the league in yards per catch (17.3; first among wide receivers with at least 50 targets). Advanced stats showed how dependable Williams was as a target for Jared Goff.

However, despite the strides Williams made during his third season, there were a few setbacks. He tested positive for a banned substance and served a two-game suspension. Additionally, a gun-related incident involving Williams came to light, but he was not charged and will not face NFL discipline related to the incident.

Williams is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, and the Lions have a simple choice to pick up his $15.49 million fifth-year option by May 1.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press recently discussed whether the Lions should extend Williams’ contract this offseason. He provided some insight on the current state of negotiations and made his case.

Birkett pointed out that the Lions’ decision to pick up Williams’ fifth-year option is an easy one, but that this move mainly buys them additional time to decide whether to offer him an extension.

Given that Williams has had just one standout NFL season out of three, securing a big contract extension in an ever-growing wide receiver market requires more than just one good year. As a result, the Lions should wait to see how the next season unfolds before committing to a long-term deal.