Expectations are high around Jameson Williams entering his third NFL season. He knows it, and internally the bar has been set for him. Right off the bat when OTAs started in May, head coach Dan Campbell called Williams a "man on a mission."
After a rookie season significantly truncated by recovery from a torn ACL and a slow start to his second season, Williams showed signs of progress down the stretch last season.
Over his final six games last year, counting the playoffs, Williams had 17 receptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns, with 48 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. He took that emergence into strong performances during OTAs and training camp, fortifying the idea he'll have a full-on breakout this year.
On Friday night, Williams was at his high school alma mater, Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis, to have his number retired. via SI's High School site, he talked about that honor.
"It’s exciting, it’s amazing,” Williams said. “Seeing some things like this, it’s something that you always dream of as a kid, getting your jersey honored, getting your jersey retired. I’m not gonna lie, I really imagined this on the NFL level..Maybe this is just the start. I have a goal to get my jersey retired in the NFL one day. So this is just the start to the next level, a stepping stone to the top.”
Lions' WR Jameson Williams sets huge goal for 2024 season
ESPN Lions' beat reporter Eric Woodyard made the trip to St. Louis for Williams' jersey retirement. He of course spoke with the honoree, and Williams went all-in to put a big goal out in the universe.
“I just want to have the most yds and TDs – that would be my personal goals. Out of the whole NFL, I want to have the most receiving yds and TDs. It don’t matter about catches, because I know what I’m gonna do when I get the ball.”
#Lions’ Jameson Williams to ESPN on Year 3 goals:“I just want to have the most yds and TDs – that would be my personal goals. Out of the whole NFL, I want to have the most receiving yds and TDs. It don’t matter about catches, because I know what I’m gonna do when I get the ball.” pic.twitter.com/5XssWdK6XT
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) August 31, 2024
For a frame of reference, Tyreek Hill led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards last year. That's 105.8 yards per game over a full 17 games. Hill also tied for the league lead with 13 receiving touchdowns. Hill had the third-most targets in the league last year (171), with one game missed.
It's highly unlikely Williams will reach his goal to lead the league in receiving yards and touchdowns this year. There's simply not room to do it with where he is in the pecking order of the Lions' offense. But there's nothing wrong with setting big goals, as Williams continues to not shy away from the expectations attached to him.