Packers RB Jamaal Williams ‘really, really improved’ as a receiving threat
The Green Bay Packers asked Jamaal Williams to become a better player as a receiver this offseason, and the fourth-year running back looks like he’s accomplished the task.
Although Williams caught a team-high five touchdown passes in 2019, Packers running backs coach Ben Sirmans wanted to see a more complete player in the passing game when Williams returned in 2020. So the Packers’ do-it-all running back spent a big chunk of his offseason working on running routes, getting quicker and attempting to turn an established weakness into a potentially valuable strength.
“That’s been the biggest thing he’s improved,” Sirmans said Wednesday. “Jamaal did a great job throughout the offseason improving his overall quickness and ability as a receiver. Those things have shown up big time so far in camp.”
At exit meetings following the Packers’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers last January, Sirmans told Williams – who caught a career-high 39 passes in 2019 – that he wanted him to become quicker and more explosive as a receiver.
“That’s one of the vocal points that we talked about last year at the end of the season, an area where I wanted to see him was just his overall quickness and agility against man coverage. He’s really worked hard in the offseason,” Sirmans said.
Williams’ social media account is littered with videos of him catching passes and working on various routes while training in Arizona.
The work is paying off. Sirmans said he’s seen drastic improvement from Williams as a route runner so far at training camp.
“Whether he’s pressed up in man or we’re doing option routes, he has such a better feel for running routes. He knew that was one of his weaknesses last year. He’s really, really improved in that area. I think that’s going to make him a bigger weapon in this offense,” Sirmans said.
Williams, who is entering a contract year in 2020, has the Packers’ complete trust as both a runner and pass protector, but adding a more dynamic element in the passing game could make him one of the NFL’s most versatile and valuable backup running backs this season.
The head coach has also seen his progress.
“He brings a lot of energy to our football team. And versatility. He came in really, really good shape. I saw some of his workouts, and it did not look easy. He really works his tail off,” coach Matt LaFleur said last week.
LaFleur specifically mentioned a route run by Williams during an 11-on-11 drill.
“I think he’s kind of a sleeper in the pass game as well. I think he’s done some great things for us in the pass game, he’s demonstrated that. Today, he ran a route and did a great job getting open, but the ball didn’t go his way. We have a lot of confidence in Jamaal, not only his ability to run but also in the passing game and as a pass blocker.”
