The Detroit Lions experienced a busy offseason marked by significant changes, especially among the coaching ranks. Losing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was a blow, but the team’s strong foundation still positions them as one of the NFC’s top contenders.

Thankfully for Detroit, the departures in free agency likely won’t have as serious an impact as the coaching exits. Veteran guard Kevin Zeitler and edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, still unsigned, will be missed, but the core roster remains solid.

One lower-profile departure, defensive end Jonah Williams, inked a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Following an unexpected retirement announcement, Williams might already be regretting the move.

On Saturday, 34-year-old Saints quarterback Derek Carr revealed his retirement after suffering a shoulder injury that will need surgery. That leaves New Orleans with arguably the league’s weakest quarterback group, with Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough now battling for the starting job.

Even the most optimistic Saints fans would struggle to argue the team has a shot at contending in 2025. That’s troubling news for Williams, who needs a standout season to earn another NFL opportunity next year. He bounced around with the Vikings, Rams, and Lions in 2023, seeing just two games in Detroit without recording a stat.

The 29-year-old undrafted defensive lineman from Weber State started 16 games for the Rams in 2022, though his production dipped, and he’s now fighting to stay in the league. Most of last season he spent on the practice squad, before the Lions signed him in November. Still, he didn’t do enough to secure a long-term deal.

Now on a contract worth just over $1 million, Williams finds himself on what could be one of the NFL’s weakest rosters, hoping to stand out. The chance to earn playing time is there, but the path to a Super Bowl—like he had in Detroit—is likely gone. It’s unfortunate, but with luck, he can turn this year into a better opportunity come 2026.