ALLEN PARK >> Wide receiver Jameson Williams showed up in Allen Park the same offseason Ben Johnson was named Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.

The ascent of Williams, the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was expected. He was one of the most electric receivers in his draft class and was the fourth receiver off the board, despite the knowledge that he would be rehabbing a torn ACL for most of his rookie season.

The ascent of Johnson, however, was less expected. Entering the 2022 preseason, it wasn’t clear whether he’d even be given play-calling responsibilities after head coach Dan Campbell shouldered those duties down the stretch of the 2021 season. But it wasn’t long until Johnson was one of the hottest coordinators — and head-coaching candidates — in the game.

For the third straight year, Johnson is arguably the most sought-after name on the market. For the first two years, there was a consensus that he was gone.

These opportunities are few and far between, and to some, there’s a level of foolishness that comes with thinking they’ll be around forever.

But Johnson has clearly defied those odds. His offense, and the Lions as a whole, have only gotten better with each passing year since coming to Detroit.

Williams is hoping Johnson kicks the can down the road once more.

“Nah,” Williams said this week in response to a question about whether this could be the last dance with his beloved coordinator.

“I’ll tell you right now, I (saw) a text that he was interviewing with some team … I almost sent him a text. I don’t know, but I want him to stay. I want him to stay. That’s all I’m gonna say. I want him to stay.”

Williams has had a number of off-the-field struggles to begin his NFL career — and some on-field ones, too. But the Lions never wavered from their belief that Williams could eventually fulfill his potential, and Johnson was a big part of that support system.

It all came to a head in Detroit’s 31-9 division-clinching win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, where, with the game in hand, the Lions force-fed the ball to Williams so he could eclipse 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his NFL career.

But with regular-season triumphs in the rearview mirror, Williams has turned his attention to getting something else in his hands besides a football. He wants a Super Bowl ring.

“It meant a lot. Shout out to my coaches for forcing that on me,” Williams said. “I appreciate them a lot for that. It was huge to me and my people and my goals, but I’m past that. We got three games left that I’m trying to focus up on.

“I’m trying to get something on my fingers.”

For himself, the city, and for Johnson.

“I’m pretty sure that’s his mindset, too,” Williams said. “That’s everybody’s mindset. It would be for everybody, though. The city, everybody. Family, the name on your back, everybody. I hope we do it for ’em.”