Jamaal Williams may have led the NFL in touchdowns, but it doesn’t seem like the Detroit Lions cared much about bringing him back.
The 27-year-old rushed for 17 touchdowns last season after scoring 13 in his previous five seasons, but left Detroit for the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints gave him a three-year contract worth $12 million. And the way Williams talked about what the Lions offered, it wasn’t comparable.
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Jamaal Williams of the Detroit Lions rushes to score during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
«They’re done with me, I realized,» Williams said of his time in Detroit, via The Detroit News. «The offer that they gave me, I feel like it was very, just disrespectful, just showing that they really, you know, they didn’t want me to be there like that. But, it’s all love. I know my teammates, everyone back there in The Detroit Lions have love for me and all of that, at the same time, we couldn’t come to terms with things.
«You can have the best season of your life, and people will always find something to be negative about,» Williams continued. «I don’t really worry about it, because at the end of the day, I know I’m my own biggest critic. And I know where I can improve to be better. I’m just going to keep doing that.» Don’t really care what others say, I take it into account, just to have it in the area and be aware of my surroundings, but I don’t really let it affect me as a person.
Detroit Lions’ Jamaal Williams reacts after a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of a game at AT and T Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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«Well, I take it personally, because I take it as a personal challenge for myself, just to get better. At the end of the day, I just like to prove people wrong. You think you know me. You don’t know me. I’ll show you.» .
Williams also set a career high with 1,066 rushing yards on 262 attempts for Detroit.
The Lions replaced Williams with former division rival David Montgomery.
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams looks up at the fans after scoring a 1-yard touchdown run during the first half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 4, 2022 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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Williams joins Alvin Kamara in the Saints’ backfield. If Kamara faces any disciplinary action for an alleged assault, Williams could play a huge role early in the season.