Jameson Williams Trade Offers Were 'Never Entertained' by Lions, Says GM Brad Holmes

Despite recent rumors that Jameson Williams could be on the trade block, the Detroit Lions never had any intention of moving the wide receiver.

Speaking to reporters after the first round of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday, Lions general manager Brad Holmes explained they "never entertained" any offers for Williams.

"That's something that we have never entertained," he said. "I don't know where that report came from. But that's not a conversation that me and Dan [Campbell have] ever had."

On Tuesday, The MMQB's Albert Breer reported some people in NFL circles believed the 24-year-old could end up getting traded.

This led to online sleuths realizing that Williams unfollowed the Lions on social media and posted cryptic messages.

The Lions haven't officially made a decision about Williams' fifth-year option, but Holmes said in March it was "likely" they would exercise it. The deadline for teams to pick up the option on 2022 first-round draft picks is May 1.

There are a lot of big contract decisions coming up for the Lions. They just gave Kerby Joseph a four-year, $86 million extension that makes him the league's highest-paid safety.

Aidan Hutchinson, another member of the 2022 draft class, is eligible for an extension for the first time this offseason. Key members of the Lions' 2023 draft class, including Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch, will be extension-eligible next offseason.

Plus, the Lions have already given out big-money deals to Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell and Alim McNeill in the past 12 months.

One of the drawbacks to having so many good players in a hard-capped league is you can only pay so many of them.

Williams is an explosive game-changer thanks to his elite speed. He recorded his first 1,000-yard season in 2024 and his 17.3 yards per reception was the highest in the NFL among all players with at least 50 catches.

The Lions already have Williams under contract for 2025 with just a $2.6 million base salary. He would be owed $15.5 million in 2026 if his fifth-year option gets picked up, at which point they might have to start think about trading him given all of other players they could look to extend.