Packers 2021 free agency profile: What’s next for Jamaal Williams?
The Green Bay Packers could lose their top two running backs this offseason.
Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are both free agents. Today, we’ll look at whether there’s any chance Williams will be re-signed.
Williams was selected a round earlier than Jones in the 2017 NFL Draft but has been the number two running back in LaFleur’s offense. The question, now then, is whether Green Bay can bring back Williams or Jones in 2021.
Why the Packers could have interest
While Jones has been the featured back under Matt LaFleur, Williams has also played a vital role with 1,454 total yards nine touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Williams is the Packers’ best blocker at running back, an excellent receiver out of the backfield, and a talented running back between the tackles. Importantly, Williams has shown he can be the number one back by performing well when Jones has missed time.
If the Packers don’t re-sign Jones, bringing Williams back would make a ton of sense. He’s a three-down back who they know fits well in LaFleur’s offense. With AJ Dillon ready for more game time, a Williams-Dillon backfield could be a lot of fun.
There’s no doubt Williams is a talented player who the team would love to have back. It’s just a question of whether they can afford to do so.
The contract
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers didn’t offer Williams a new deal during the season but “Jones received several proposals”.
This suggests the Packers’ priority is to bring back Jones, the featured back in the offense. But if a deal can’t be agreed, will Green Bay try to re-sign Williams?
There’s a good chance re-signing Williams would be the cheaper option but that doesn’t mean it would be all that affordable for the Packers. Williams has shown he can step into a starting role if needed so there should be plenty of interest from other teams in free agency.
There’s still time for Green Bay to come to an agreement with Williams, but the lack of offers so far isn’t a great sign.