Jamaal Williams Seeking Team Victory, Career Accomplishments

Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams is seeing to finish off 2022 with a significant career milestone.

Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams likes to keep things simple, both on and off the field. 

After his team's biggest victory of the season, a convincing 41-10 victory against the Chicago Bears, the veteran running back simply wanted to return home to play Pokemon. 

Despite the casual nature off the field, the 27-year-old running back set out to prove this season that he was more than a one-dimensional runner that could only be used in certain situations. 

Now, the Lions are heading to Lambeau Field to play one of the biggest games of the season, in front of a nationally-televised audience. 

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"I just keep everything simple, and I keep the, I keep it from getting bigger than what it is," Williams told reporters. "And so, to me, it's just another night game on Sunday. I get to go play against my old team, the Packers. I just try to keep it as simple as possible, and just go out there and do my job."

As this season has progressed, he has also become utilized by the Lions in the red zone significantly more. 

"He’s been a bell-cow for us all year long, really it’s been the steady three, four, five-yard gains for the most part," Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. "And then, he does have the ability to break some tackles, as well, and I think he’s had a couple of 50-yarders, as well, this year. 

"We think extremely highly of him. He’s been consistent for us as a runner, and just really happy to see that run game pick up again last week. It was a lot easier as a play-caller to call that game. But, for him, there’s no doubt, I’m sure 1,000 (yards) means a lot. That’s certainly the most he’s had in his career, and then against his former team, I’m sure that would mean something to him. I think it’s really kudos to our offensive line, our receivers, our tight ends, they’re doing a nice job opening up running lanes for him. And, he’s taking advantage of it.”

Heading into the season finale against the Packers, his former team, Williams has the opportunity to achieve career milestones and a Lions team record. 

Williams needs only six more yards to reach the 1,000-yard milestone for the first time in his career. 

Also, only one touchdown is needed in the finale to tie Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders for the Lions single-season mark of 16 total rushing touchdowns. 

"I guess it would make me a good running back. I'll just be grateful, just to be in that category with Barry (Sanders). I mean, Barry is a great running back," Williams explained. 

"I'm just grateful for that opportunity to be able to be in there with somebody like that. I just want to win for my teammates. Thank you for their blessings and how they feel about me. I just want to make sure we just come out with a W more than anything."

Future in Detroit

Williams has enjoyed the best two NFL seasons of his career, since he joined the Lions in 2021. 

After four years with the Packers, Williams signed a two-year contract to join Detroit at the very start of its rebuild. 

While contract negotiations have not been made public, it is quite apparent both sides would relish working together. 

Williams expressed with a smile, "I spent two years here doing great. Do I want to come back? Do I want to come back to more blessings and actually get good? Let me think about that one. That's your answer."