Running back Jamaal Williams has had an impressive NFL season. However, a contract extension with the Detroit Lions did not materialise, which is why he moved on to the New Orleans Saints. Now he clearly complained about the offer from his ex-team.

Running back Jamaal Williams has hit out at his ex-team Detroit Lions in no uncertain terms. The 27-year-old felt underappreciated in contract talks with the Lions.

“They were done with me,” Williams said at his introductory press conference with the New Orleans Saints: “The offer they made me I feel was very disrespectful and a sign that they really didn’t want me there anymore.”

Williams left the Lions to join the Saints. However, he looks back on some good times with the Lions. “I know my teammates and everyone at the Detroit Lions love me, but at the same time we just couldn’t come to an agreement. It’s just weird, that’s all,” he said.

Williams led the league in rushing touchdowns

Behind Williams is coming off the strongest season of his career so far, leading the league with 17 rushing touchdowns while setting a franchise record. He also broke the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.

With the Lions he was reportedly paid $3.75 million in base salary, with the Saints it’s not much more. He agreed to a three-year contract with the franchise worth a total of twelve million dollars, eight million of which is guaranteed.

For their part, the Lions brought in former Bears rusher David Montgomery, outfitting the 25-year-old with a three-year, $18 million contract. Apparently they see Montgomery as the better rusher, especially since Williams was often in the grateful situation of being deployed near the goal line.

Williams forms tandem with Kamara

Such criticism Williams takes note of, but nothing more. “You can have the best season of your life and people will always find something to be negative about,” he said, calling himself his “biggest critic.”

The option to go to the Saints also came as a surprise to Williams himself: “Honestly, it came out of nowhere, but at the same time I thought it was great that they were interested in me and showed me they wanted me here.” He said he was “proud to be part of a great team like this. There are a lot of experienced players on it. A team with a lot of players who know what playoffs are and what it takes to win a Super Bowl.”

Williams will form the running back duo with Alvin Kamara for the Saints, while the Lions will continue to rely on D’Andre Swift alongside Montgomery.