The Detroit Lions offense was one of the best in the NFL last year. The fourth in total offense and fifth in points scored along with a league-low 15 turnovers. First-year offensive coordinator Ben Johnson made a name for himself, garnering national praise and a number of interviews for head coaching gigs.
Jared Goff silenced many of his doubters, and recaptured some of his form from his days with the Rams as he threw for 4,438 yards with 29 touchdown and seven interceptions.
While the Lions arguably upgraded from three key pieces of last year's top-tier offense, they did lose those three key pieces all the same and some may lament their loss until proven otherwise.
But how are those three recognizable pieces from the Lions' 2022 offense fairing with their new teams so far, after OTAs and heading toward training camp?
Jamaal Williams, New Orleans Saints
All of Detroit probably shed a collective tear when it was reported Jamaal Williams would not be returning to the Lions backfield. Following a career year in which Williams ran for 1,066 yards and broke Barry Sanders single season rushing touchdown record with 17, it seemed like it would be a no-brainer to bring him back. But when contract talks stalled, Brad Holmes pivoted quickly to David Montgomery.
Now in New Orleans, Williams has been the same guy Detroit media and fans fell in love with. He recently had two reporters play rock paper scissors to see who got to ask their question first. Safe to say he is fitting in well with the Saints' media.
Not a lot came out about Williams from Saints OTAs, but he did take first-team reps with Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller sidelined a bit. With a suspension for Kamara looming from the league office, it's lined up to be Williams who gets the bulk of the work to start the season. Will he post similar numbers to his 2022 campaign with Detroit? Or will the career-high 262 carries he had last year show effects this year?