Report: New Orleans Saints Release Jamaal Williams
Mar 4, 2025, 3:12 PM | Updated: Mar 6, 2025, 12:24 pm
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 05: Jamaal Williams #21 of the New Orleans Saints reacts to a first down in the second quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU running back Jamaal Williams is hitting the free agent market after reportedly being released by the New Orleans Saints.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport first reported the news on Tuesday, March 4. Releasing Williams saves the Saints $3.2 million against the salary cap.
The #Saints have released veteran RB Jamaal Williams, who was due $3.2M this season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2025
Williams recently completed his second season in New Orleans. In 14 games, the former Cougar saw his workload reduced dramatically in his eighth season.
The Fontana, California native carried the ball 48 times for 164 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. He found the end zone twice in two years with the Saints, a far cry from his career-high 17 TDs with Detroit in 2022.
RELATED STORIES
About Jamaal Williams
Before his time in the NFL, Williams was a star at BYU. He left Provo as the Cougars’ all-time rushing leader.
During his time at BYU (2012-14, 2016), Williams ran the ball 726 times for 3,901 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also had 60 receptions for 567 yards and a touchdown. Williams only lost two fumbles during his college career.
Following his time at BYU, the Southern California native was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played the first four seasons of his professional career with the Packers before signing with the Lions in 2021.
In 2022, Williams ran for 1,066 yards and 17 touchdowns. It was his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL. With his 17 touchdowns, Williams became the Detroit Lions’ single-season touchdown rushing leader, passing the legendary Barry Sanders.
RELATED: Jamaal Williams Breaks Lions’ Single-Season Rushing Touchdown Record
Williams helped the Lions to a 9-8 record in his second and final season in Detroit.
During his first six seasons in the league, the former BYU star has run for 3,652 yards and 30 touchdowns. He’s also recorded 1,191 receiving yards and eight touchdowns out of the backfield.
About #LocalsInTheNFL
For over five years, KSL Sports has covered all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.
Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you updated on how the locals perform on the highest stage.
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
Check out our Locals In The NFL coverage, from highlights to trades and other breaking news, here.
Take us with you wherever you go.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
