On the eve of their season opener against the Green Bay Packers, a few Detroit Lions players — Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Craig Reynolds — were relaxing together in a hotel room when unexpected news broke.
“Jamo just got extended,” Gibbs announced.
St. Brown, surprised, immediately FaceTimed wideout Jameson Williams. Within minutes, Williams joined them to celebrate. The 24-year-old receiver had finalized a three-year contract worth $83 million, with $67 million guaranteed, securing his long-term future in Detroit.
“I’m thrilled to keep playing alongside him,” St. Brown told the media later that week. “People only see headlines, but I see the person he is every day. He’ll do whatever it takes to help us win. As a teammate, that’s all you want. I love working with him.”
St. Brown also pushed back on the public perception of Williams. “You can’t judge who he is just from what you see on a screen,” he explained. “When you actually talk to him, learn about his family and his background, you see how much he loves football. That passion shows every day.”
While teammates were overjoyed, no one was more grateful than Williams himself. Speaking after the Lions’ 27–13 loss to Green Bay, he expressed appreciation to the Ford family and said the extension gave him peace of mind.
“This is home for me,” Williams said. “I’m comfortable here — with the staff, with my brothers in the locker room. Going to battle with them every week means everything. I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else.”
Negotiations began just two weeks before the season opener and wrapped up quickly. Williams admitted he didn’t have time to truly process the moment but plans to celebrate with his family this weekend, tying it in with his brother’s birthday during the Lions’ home opener against the Chicago Bears.
Despite the lucrative deal, Williams said money isn’t what fuels him. “I’m focused on making sure my family’s good. That’s the most important thing,” he explained. “What drives me is where I came from, my community, my family name. Money fades, but the work and legacy last.”
Williams, who posted career-best numbers last season with 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns, is now free to lock in on the season ahead.
Most of all, he wanted to make one thing clear: his love for Detroit. “When I got here, we weren’t winning much. But even then, the fans showed up. The stadium was full, the support never stopped. Around the city, people come up asking for pictures or autographs, and it’s always been positive. It feels a lot like home to me. I feel comfortable here, and I love the culture.”
