After the news Jeff Okudah was traded came out, Jameson Williams made it immediately clear he wants the vacated jersey number.
It was not surprising news on the whole, but the Detroit Lions traded cornerback Jeff Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday for a 2023 fifth-round pick. The news was barely out and digested by the masses, when Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams tweeted….
Perhaps in search of some level or renewal after two rough seasons, Okudah switched to jersey No. 1 last year after wearing No. 23 and No. 30. Williams wore No. 9 last year as a rookie, after getting permission from former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to do so. He wanted No. 1 when he switched after originally choosing No. 18, but Okudah of course already had it.
Now that No. 1 is available, Williams got in front of any line there might be to claim it.
It’s no surprise Jameson Williams wants to wear No. 1 for the Lions
Williams wore No. 1 at Alabama, which is why he wanted it a year or so ago and it was his preference when he wanted to change to a single digit number.
When the NFL recently allowed the No. 0 to be worn, Williams was seemingly an easy candidate for that. Newly signed wide receiver Marvin Jones will take No. 0 for the Lions though, and the notion of Williams switching numbers heading into his second season fell by the wayside a little.
But No. 1 is available in Honolulu Blue now, and Williams made it know to anyone who might have interest that he wants it. Ridiculous league rules will make him buy out the stock of Lions’ No. 9 jerseys that have his name on them if he’s going to make the switch this year, but if it’s that meaningful to him to wear No. 1 he’ll probably pony up. Or if the cost is too much, Williams is in line to wear No. 1 for the Lions in 2024.