Detroit Lions fans have grown uneasy regarding Jameson Williams’ lack of impact. The speedy receiver’s production has been fueled by a few long catches in what has been an otherwise disappointing beginning. That concern only increased after ESPN’s Eric Woodyard quoted quarterback Jared Goff’s postgame defense of his wideout:

“We want to get (Williams) involved as much as possible. He’s one of the top players in this league, so I don’t see this game as anything unusual… I forced a bad throw on an interception… I misread it and got careless. I thought Jamo did his job.”

Even if Goff secretly felt troubled by Williams’ play, he would never share that in front of the media. Any doubts are always kept internal, though that shouldn’t stop fans from being concerned about the fourth-year wideout heading toward Week 5.

Detroit Must Acknowledge WR Jameson Williams’ Rough Start

Williams sits at just 214 receiving yards across four games, with most of that coming from two deep shots. He’s also been limited to two receptions in each of the last three contests after recording four in Week 1. Given Detroit’s offensive balance and emphasis on spreading touches, there’s little excuse for his quiet start.

Detroit handing Williams an $83 million three-year extension before the season carried plenty of risk. The front office was gambling on a breakout that would justify the move as team-friendly. Instead, the early returns show a player who thrives only on his vertical speed. If he isn’t burning defenses deep, his contributions to this offense remain minimal.

While offensive coordinator John Morton deserves patience as he tries to reestablish Williams in the scheme, frustration is growing with his stagnant production. Making matters worse, Williams is currently on pace for the lowest Pro Football Focus grade of his career. His downward trend has stirred anxiety about whether Detroit miscalculated by extending him early.

Still, the Lions hold a strong position and time to repair the situation. Morton and the staff must scheme more opportunities or create plays that maximize the former Alabama star’s talents.

Detroit needs a turnaround quickly, because they cannot continue brushing off Williams’ slow start, no matter how hard Goff attempts to defend him.