The Detroit Lions have endured a tough few days following their playoff exit as Super Bowl favorites, only to face the additional blow of losing key coaching staff.
After the Lions were eliminated from the playoffs, Jameson Williams thought his challenging end to an incredible 2024 season might be behind him. However, he was slapped with a substantial fine.
In the Lions’ defeat to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round, Williams scored a 61-yard touchdown and celebrated in the end zone with what appeared to be a suggestive gesture. On Monday, Williams was informed he would be fined $25,325 for unsportsmanlike conduct, with the NFL labeling it an “obscene gesture.”
Williams likely wasn’t shocked by the fine, as his teammates, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs, tried to stop him from celebrating in such a way, urging him to get back on his feet.
The former first-round pick has had a standout year with the Lions, living up to the expectations that made him the 12th overall pick in the 2022 draft. He has amassed 1,000 yards and scored seven touchdowns.
Although Williams has emerged as one of the league’s top deep-threat receivers, Lions fans have been frustrated by his off-field issues, leading to two suspensions in his first three years.
The Lions entered their game as strong favorites to defeat the Commanders, but Washington pulled off a stunning upset, winning 45-32 to advance to the NFC Championship game. Jayden Daniels and the Lions were then knocked out of the Super Bowl race by the Philadelphia Eagles.
After the playoff loss, speculation surrounding the future of the Lions’ coaching staff began, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn departing within days. Johnson became the head coach of the Chicago Bears, while Glenn took over as the New York Jets’ head coach.
Since then, Johnson has taken quarterbacks coach JT Barrett and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El to the Bears, while run game coordinator Terrell Williams has joined the New England Patriots, leaving the Lions with the loss of five key coaches.
