Free agent operating again Jamaal Williams has discovered a brand new house, sooner or later after the Detroit Lions determined to maneuver on from their main rusher.
Williams, who set a Lions single-season franchise report with 17 speeding touchdowns final 12 months, reportedly agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday.
The Lions and former Chicago Bears operating again David Montgomery agreed to a three-year, $18 million deal Tuesday.
Montgomery is anticipated to be launched at a information convention Thursday, after he formally indicators his contract.
Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammates after a landing through the third quarter towards the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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The Lions pivoted to Montgomery after negotiations with Williams fell aside. They have been believed to offer Williams an analogous deal to the one they gave Montgomery.
Montgomery’s contract features a $4.5 million signing bonus and $11 million over the following two seasons, with one other $500,000 out there yearly in per-game roster bonuses.
Williams led the Lions with 1,066 yards speeding final season and have become the primary Lion to prime 1,000 yards since Reggie Bush in 2013.
A fan favourite in Detroit, Williams had stated he hoped to return to the Lions.
On Wednesday, he posted a thanks message to Lions followers on social media.
“I simply wanna say thanks to all of the Detroit followers and all people aside of the hidden village of the den,” Williams wrote. “I’ve grown loads simply from these two years and I respect each expertise I had with each particular person I got here to come across whereas I used to be there.”
“I respect y’all and know the KazeKage at all times pushing ahead with that warrior mindset to be nice,” Williams wrote in a second put up.
In New Orleans, Williams probably will cut up time within the backfield with Alvin Kamara. He had 1,667 yards and 20 touchdowns on 415 carries in two seasons with the Lions.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article initially appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Detroit Lions RB Jamaal Williams reportedly indicators with New Orleans
