Detroit Lions Receive Price Tag for Jameson Williams’ 2026 Season
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams sprints toward the end zone after catching a pass during an NFL matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Williams, a former Alabama All-American, was acquired by the Lions after they traded up for the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Over two seasons, Williams recorded 25 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns, along with four rushes for 69 yards and one touchdown, across 18 regular-season games.
Following his two-touchdown performance in Detroit’s 34-31 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, Williams had a breakout 2024 season. He posted 58 receptions for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 11 rushes for 61 yards and another touchdown.
He also added a 61-yard rushing touchdown during the Lions’ 45-31 playoff loss to the Washington Commanders in the second round on Jan. 18.
Williams is entering the final season of his four-year, $17.462 million rookie contract. To extend his time in Detroit beyond 2025, the Lions have three options: negotiating a new contract, applying the franchise tag next offseason, or exercising his fifth-year option.
First-round draft picks have a team-controlled fifth-year option that must be activated before the player’s fourth season. For 2022 first-rounders, the deadline to exercise this option is May 1.
With the NFL setting a $279.2 million salary cap for 2025—an increase of $23.8 million from 2024—the league also revealed the fifth-year option values for 2022 first-round picks.
Should Detroit activate Williams’ fifth-year option, he would be guaranteed $15.493 million for the 2026 season. This figure is based on the average salaries of wide receivers ranked between third and 25th over the last five years.
Fifth-year options fall into four categories, with Williams placed in the lowest-cost tier.
The tiers include:
Players selected to at least two Pro Bowls on the initial voting ballot.
Players selected to one Pro Bowl on the original ballot.
Players who did not make a Pro Bowl but played at least 75% of snaps in two seasons or 50% of snaps across three seasons.
Players who neither made a Pro Bowl nor met the playing-time benchmarks.