Detroit Lions’ New Offensive Coordinator Says He “Can’t Wait” to Unleash Jameson Williams’ Potential in Explosive 2025 Offense

When the Detroit Lions hired their new offensive coordinator this offseason, it wasn’t just about scheme or play design — it was about vision. And at the center of that vision is Jameson Williams, the blazing-fast receiver with untapped potential and game-breaking ability. After two seasons of flashes, frustration, and fits and starts, Williams appears poised to take on a much larger role in the Lions’ offense — and no one seems more excited than the man now drawing up the plays.

“I just can’t wait, man,” the coordinator said recently during his media availability. “I can’t wait to turn him loose.”

The enthusiasm wasn’t just lip service. This wasn’t the typical springtime optimism that every NFL team wears like a new pair of cleats. It felt deeper, more electric — an anticipation rooted in what Williams could be, not just what he’s shown. A belief that the young wideout isn’t a gamble, but a weapon waiting to be properly deployed.

The Lions’ new offensive coordinator, who comes from a system known for innovation and versatility, has made it clear from Day One that Jameson Williams is going to be more than a deep threat or a decoy. He sees Williams as a true offensive centerpiece — someone who can shift coverages, dictate defensive alignments, and explode for six points anytime he touches the ball.

That vision, though, is still more dream than reality — but that’s what makes it so tantalizing. Through two seasons, Williams has played just 18 games and logged 25 receptions. He has three touchdowns to his name, and an average yards per catch figure that hints at the explosiveness lying beneath the surface. But the numbers alone don’t tell the full story. Injuries, timing, and inconsistency have all played a role in limiting his impact so far.

Drafted 12th overall in 2022, Williams arrived in Detroit already rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in the national championship game while at Alabama. The Lions knew they’d be patient, but the wait has tested even the most hopeful observers. There were signs — a 41-yard touchdown against the Vikings in 2022, the 63-yard bomb from Jared Goff in 2023 — but they were fleeting. For every highlight, there was a penalty, a drop, or a missed connection.

Still, Williams has something that can’t be taught: speed. He’s arguably the fastest player on the field every time he steps onto it, and it’s that rare trait that continues to keep him at the forefront of Detroit’s plans. What the new offensive coordinator brings to the table is a renewed belief that Williams can be more than just a straight-line sprinter.

“He’s more than just speed,” the coordinator said. “He’s learning the game at a deeper level. He’s learning how to manipulate defenders, how to time his breaks, how to set things up. When you combine that with the physical gifts — man, it’s scary.”

The timing might finally be right. With Jared Goff entrenched as the starter and coming off a resurgent season, the offensive line still one of the NFL’s best, and Amon-Ra St. Brown continuing to evolve as one of the game’s most reliable targets, the stage is set for Williams to thrive. Defenses can’t key on him. He won’t be facing double coverage on every snap. What he will have is opportunity — something he hasn’t had in abundance until now.

The departure of veteran wideout Josh Reynolds, combined with the Lions’ choice not to make a major addition at the position in free agency or the draft, signals that Detroit is ready to see what Williams can do with a larger target share. And perhaps more importantly, they believe he’s ready for it.

“I’ve sat with him in the film room,” the coordinator said. “He’s hungry. He wants to be great. You can see it. He asks the right questions. He’s studying releases, studying coverages. He wants to know why we’re calling a play, not just what his route is. That tells you a lot.”

Williams’ teammates are noticing the difference, too. During voluntary offseason workouts, coaches and players have remarked on his improved focus, his body language, and his crispness in and out of breaks. The Lions’ staff has emphasized accountability, and it appears Williams has taken that message to heart.

Dan Campbell, never one to dole out empty praise, recently commented on Williams’ “locked-in” attitude. “He wants to be part of this,” Campbell said. “He’s doing the little things right. He’s earning it.”

What’s changed? Part of it may simply be time. This will be Williams’ first full offseason without injury rehab hanging over him. He can focus entirely on development. No setbacks, no limitations — just football. The coaching staff has also shifted its messaging from cautious hope to confident belief. Instead of managing expectations, they’re stoking the fire.

It’s not just about vertical routes and jet sweeps, either. The new offensive coordinator has hinted at more creative ways to get Williams involved — motion, stacks, screens, crossers, and play-action shots that don’t rely on perfect protection. The goal is to get him the ball in space and let his speed take over.

“There are going to be times where he’s not even the first read, but his route opens up the entire play,” the coordinator explained. “And then there are going to be times where he is the play. That’s the balance we’re working toward — making him a nightmare to cover, even when he doesn’t have the ball.”

Detroit fans, long starved for a homegrown receiving star, are understandably cautious. But there’s real buzz around Allen Park that 2025 could be the year Williams breaks out. For a franchise building momentum — fresh off a playoff run, a strong draft class, and a burgeoning national profile — a Williams breakout would feel like the final piece to an already potent offense.

The Lions don’t just want to be good; they want to be unpredictable, explosive, and dangerous. And that’s what Williams offers in abundance. He may not catch 90 passes or lead the league in yards, but he doesn’t have to. What he offers — the threat — changes games. Even a safety leaning a few yards deeper can open up everything underneath.

When asked if he had a specific plan or goal for Williams’ usage in 2025, the new OC smiled and paused.

“Yeah,” he said. “I want defensive coordinators to have sleepless nights trying to figure him out.”

It’s that mindset — aggressive, creative, confident — that could take Williams to the next level. And if he gets there, the Lions might not just be contenders. They might be a nightmare for everyone on their schedule.

For now, though, the work continues. Film sessions, route trees, timing drills. Williams is putting in the hours. The coaching staff is tailoring packages to his strengths. Jared Goff is building trust and timing. It’s all trending in the right direction.

But potential, no matter how dazzling, must eventually become production. Williams knows that. The coaching staff knows that. The fans, too. The good news? Everyone involved is pushing in the same direction. And perhaps for the first time since he was drafted, the arrow is clearly pointing up.

“I just can’t wait, man,” the offensive coordinator repeated before heading back to the film room. “I just can’t wait to see what he becomes.”

Detroit can’t either.