Considering all the turnover the Detroi Lions endured this past offseason, their 5-3 record isn’t the worst outcome. Expectations were sky-high after last year’s success, but with new coordinators on both sides of the ball and the pressure of being a legitimate contender instead of an underdog, being in the thick of the NFC race halfway through the season is still a solid position.

That said, the Lions have had their fair share of underwhelming performances. Some of their biggest disappointments stem from injuries — Marcus Davenport and rookie Terrion Arnold among them. Even offensive coordinator John Morton could be scrutinized given the offense’s inconsistency in recent weeks.

But if we’re naming the most disappointing player so far, that title belongs to Jameson Williams. The dynamic wideout landed a three-year, $80 million extension before the season began, yet his production hasn’t matched the price tag. For Detroit to achieve its postseason ambitions, Williams must elevate his play in the second half.

Lions Still Waiting for Jameson Williams to Justify His Deal

Heading into 2025, many expected Williams to build on his breakout campaign. After essentially redshirting his rookie season to recover from a torn ACL at Alabama, he posted 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, then followed up with his first 1,000-yard season in 2024. His deep-threat ability — averaging 11 yards per target — had analysts predicting he’d soon develop into a complete receiver.

However, those lofty expectations haven’t translated into results this year. Through eight games, Williams has managed just 21 receptions for 355 yards and three touchdowns. While his 9.9 yards per target remains efficient, his overall involvement has dipped — from 6.1 targets per game in 2024 down to 4.5 this season.

Detroit’s coaching staff has mentioned getting him more touches, and there have been flashes of that, with at least five targets in three of his last five outings. Yet inconsistency remains a problem: Williams saw only one target in Week 5 against Cincinnati and went catchless on two targets in Week 7 versus Tampa Bay.

Some blame has fallen on Morton’s play design, but the offensive scheme hasn’t changed drastically from Ben Johnson’s approach last year. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams’s average depth of target (15.0 yards) has actually increased compared to 12.4 yards in 2024. The bigger issue has been execution — his drop rate has spiked from 3.3% to 12.5% this season.

Ultimately, improvement will have to come from both sides. The Lions need to feature Williams more effectively, and he must take advantage of his opportunities. For Detroit to fulfill its championship hopes, its highly paid playmaker has to rediscover the form that earned him that lucrative contract.