Jamaal Williams delivered one of the most unexpected single-season performances by an NFL player in 2022. Coming off the best season in his young career, the 27-year-old running back is poised to cash in on the open market.
Williams, the 134th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, is going through NFL free agency for the second time. He signed with the Detroit Lions in 2021, seeing an opportunity to be a complementary runner to D’Andre Swift with a chance to do far more than he did with the Green Bay Packers.
- Jamaal Williams stats (2022): 1,066 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, 4.1 ypc
Related: NFL free agent tracker 2023
After handling 153 carries in his first season with the Lions’ offense, Williams received an expanded role in 2022. He earned a career-high 262 carries, delivering his first 1,000-yard season and he ultimately broke Barry Sanders’ franchise record for single-season rushing touchdowns.
While teams can’t officially sign players until the new NFL league year begins on March 15, there is already a strong market of suitors interested in the veteran running back.
According to Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com, the Lions, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals are among the early teams to express interest in Williams. There is also mutual interest with Detroit in a new contract.
- Jamaal Williams career stats: 3,652 rushing yards, 30 rushing touchdowns
On the surface, the Jets and Bengals being mentioned as potential suitors might seem surprising. New York will get running back Breece Hall for the start of the 2023 season, who was on pace to win Offensive Rookie of the Year before his ACL tear. However, the Jets might want to ease him back this season and it’s also worth mentioning that Williams and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have a great relationship.
As for Cincinnati, reports have made it clear that running back Joe Mixon is likely going to be cut. While the coaching staff wants to re-sign Samaje Perine, any Bengals’ backfield approach in 2023 will likely be a committee and that creates an opening for Williams.
The Lions and Bills could both use a quality running back for their committee approach and Williams is one of the best available. While he won’t become one of the highest-paid NFL players, free agency will deliver him a sizable contract.
