Jamaal Williams Officially Released by New Orleans Saints After Two Disappointing Seasons
The New Orleans Saints have officially parted ways with running back Jamaal Williams, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The decision comes after two underwhelming seasons for the veteran running back, marking the end of a brief tenure in New Orleans that was far from the success he experienced with the Detroit Lions.
Williams, who had a breakout season in 2022 with the Lions, struggled to replicate that level of production after signing with the Saints. In his final season in Detroit, Williams led the NFL in touchdowns, a performance that earned him widespread recognition. He had the perfect complementary role alongside David Montgomery, with Williams providing speed and versatility while Montgomery played the physical, bruising role. The dynamic duo thrived in Detroit, but Williams has not found the same success in New Orleans.
After joining the Saints, Williams was expected to provide depth behind star running back Alvin Kamara. However, his production sharply declined. In his two seasons with the Saints, Williams rushed for just 470 yards and two touchdowns over 27 games, making only three starts. This marked a stark contrast to his 2022 campaign with Detroit, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. Despite Kamara’s struggles with injuries during the 2023 season, Williams never managed to secure a significant role or increase his production.
For the Saints, Kamara’s return to form played a large role in Williams’ limited impact. Kamara had a career-high 950 rushing yards and six touchdowns, alongside 543 receiving yards and two touchdowns, which left Williams as more of an afterthought in the backfield. The Saints’ offense simply didn’t need Williams to contribute in the same way that the Lions did.
Williams’ release comes as little surprise, as he entered the 2024 training camp as a potential trade candidate. While he was not moved, it became increasingly clear that his time in New Orleans was running out. Despite his struggles with the Saints, Williams is still seen as a solid backup running back, capable of contributing to the right team in the right system.
At 28 years old, Williams still has value in the league, and many teams will likely give him a look to bolster their running back depth. He’s proven to be effective in the right situation, and with a shot at a Super Bowl contender, he could find success again. Given that the Saints owed him $3.2 million, Williams could join another team for the minimum salary as he seeks to rediscover his form and make a meaningful impact in the postseason.