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Lions offensive coordinator John Morton wants to get the ball into Jameson Williams’ hands more, admitting that he has “failed” to do so.
Williams, 24, has just 30 targets on the season so far, with the fourth-year receiver racking up two touchdowns and 289 yards through seven games.
“I looked at everything, as far as that. I’m going to do a better job with that. But there has been opportunities where it just didn’t happen,” Morton said, per ESPN. “It’s not like we aren’t going to try to target him. So that was the biggest thing.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton instructs wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images“So I looked at everything, and I failed him. That’s what I told him. I have to do a better job with that. But it’s a two-way street. We definitely looked at that.”
During the Lions’ bye week, Morton and Williams met privately to discuss getting the wide receiver more involved with Detroit’s prolific offense.
“He came to me and expressed to me how he felt, but with me, I really wasn’t taking it too far into thinking about it,” Williams said. “We was winning games and things like that, so I can never get myself too worked up with me getting the ball or me getting targeted or things like that. I know it’s gonna come. It’s a long season.”
The coaching staff is also trying to get Williams more open, particularly on third down, where he currently faces double-teams alongside wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Williams, however, is not making a big stir out of his lack of touches, saying that team success is his main focus.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect“I know my time coming,” Williams said. “I know it’s coming, so I’m ready whenever it comes.”
Morton added that he plans for the offense to be more creative with its play-calling, along with making the connection between Williams and quarterback Jared Goff stronger.
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The first-year offensive coordinator for Detroit added that he is impressed with how professionally Williams is handling the situation.
“He doesn’t say anything. He just goes and plays. Like I said, ‘I wouldn’t fault you if you were pissed at me,’ because I’ve coached that position, I’ve played that position,” Morton said. “And I know he works too hard.
“But we’ve got to make sure that we’re going out and doing the right thing, the right techniques and this and that. It’s not just him. It’s everybody.”
The Lions drafted Williams with the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, with the Alabama alum having a breakout season last year, notching 1,001 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, both career highs.
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