Jamaal Williams loves the Lions, who love Jamaal Williams. It sounds like they're sticking together.
With Williams headed toward unrestricted free agency coming off the best season of his career, Lions GM Brad Holmes said Wednesday that "there's mutual interest" in extending his stay in Detroit.
Asked about the Lions' outlook at running back, Holmes said, "Obviously we have Jamaal as an unrestricted free agent. We're having discussions now, currently. We've had discussions with all our upcoming UFAs that were on expiring deals, and there's a mutual interest to hopefully get him back. And we've still got (D'Andre) Swift under contract."
Williams, who turns 28 next month, rushed 262 times for 1,066 yards -- 4.1 yards/carry -- and 17 touchdowns last season. He's become a leader in Detroit's locker room, the heart and soul of a team on the rise.
He has made clear his desire to stay with the Lions, reiterating at the Super Bowl last month, "First thing, I do not like change. If I gots to because of the business part of the game, I’ll do it. But I would love to be in Detroit. I feel like it’s a second home to me."
Coming off a two-year, $6 million deal, Williams is due a decent raise. A multi-year deal worth something in the neighborhood of $5 million annually is likely enough to keep him in Detroit.
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