The Detroit Lions invested heavily in wide receiver Jameson Williams with a contract extension before the 2025 season began, but by Week 10, the former Alabama star had yet to make the consistent impact expected of him.
Whether it was the matchup against a weaker opponent or head coach Dan Campbell taking a more hands-on role in offensive play-calling, Williams finally delivered the type of performance Lions fans had been waiting for. Against the Washington Commanders, he hauled in six of seven targets for a team-high 119 yards and a touchdown, helping Detroit secure a 44-22 win in Landover, MD.
Williams’ Breakout Exposes Issues With John Morton’s Play-Calling
Since John Morton took over as offensive coordinator following Ben Johnson’s departure to the Chicago Bears, there has been skepticism about whether he could maximize the talents of Detroit’s key offensive players. Williams, in particular, struggled to consistently make an impact despite having a talented supporting cast around him.
During Sunday’s game, Campbell was seen holding a playsheet on the sideline while making offensive calls. After the win, he confirmed he had taken over play-calling duties after Week 9’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, though he insisted it was a “collaborative effort” on Sunday, according to Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman.
Regardless of the phrasing, the way Williams was utilized in this matchup was clearly different—and it worked. Before Sunday, Williams had only once surpassed 100 receiving yards in a game and had only one game with six receptions this season.
It appears likely that Campbell will continue to have a hand in calling plays moving forward, which could further limit Morton’s influence. There is little justification for keeping a player of Williams’ caliber underutilized, as he had been prior to Sunday’s performance.
Williams’ role in the offense had been a glaring concern before Campbell stepped in, and it will remain a major talking point among fans if he keeps producing at the level he showed against Washington.
