When Jesse James began shopping his services in the NFL's free-agent market he was looking for a higher ceiling to develop his talent and lower volume from the drama he experienced at the end of his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Detroit Lions offered enough of both for James to sign a four-year contract. Opportunity on the playing field obviously was the major factor.
"I've had some success in Pittsburgh," James said at his Thursday press conference. "I feel like things could have been better. Offensively, I wasn't used the way I feel I could be used here. I feel like my ceiling here is going to be much higher than it was in the past.
"I think coach Bevell (new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell) does a great job of using his personnel the best way they can be.
"I'm just looking forward to the process."
View photos of Detroit Lions tight end Jesse James.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) plays against the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) motions for a first down during the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 39-38. (Al Tielemans via AP)
FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2018, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, right, gets into a scrap with Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James during the first half of an NFL football game, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jaguars coach Doug Marrone is clearly frustrated with his team's undisciplined ways. Jacksonville has been called for a league-leading 22 personal fouls. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs upfield with a reception during a Week 5 NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, October 7, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 41-17. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs the football during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. The Steelers defeated the Buccaneers, 30-27. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) catches a pass during an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, Cleveland. The Steelers and Browns tied 21-21. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) makes a catch for a touchdown past Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Terrance Smith (48) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) catches a pass in warmups during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh. (Greg Trott via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) plays against the New England Patriotsduring the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) catches a pass as Tennessee Titans safety Kenny Vaccaro (30) defends during an NFL game, Saturday Aug. 25, 2018, Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Titans 16-1. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2017, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) catches a pass then twists to stretch the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against the New England Patriots with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh. The play was overturned on review and the Patriots won. New England plays at Pittsburgh on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) plays in an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) catches a pass during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 in Cincinnati. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) catches a pass then twists to stretch the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against the New England Patriots with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Upon video review, the touchdown call was reversed and the pass was ruled incomplete. The Patriots held on to win 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) is tackled by Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) celebrates after he thought he caught a pass for a touchdown against the New England Patriots with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Upon video review, the touchdown call was reversed and the pass was ruled incomplete. The Patriots held on to win 27-24. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs onto the field via the team tunnel during team entrances prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Chargers defeated the Steelers, 33-30. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (Tom DiPace via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) jumps up for a catch during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 in Cincinnati. (NFL Photos via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs upfield with a reception during a Week 5 NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, October 7, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 41-17. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) plays in an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) fights for yards during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh. (Greg Trott via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) gets taken down by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Jordan Whitehead (31) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) looks to catch the ball during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 in Cincinnati. (NFL Photos via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, Cleveland. The Steelers and Browns tied 21-21. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) blocks Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017. Pittsburgh won 20-15. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, Cleveland. The Steelers and Browns tied 21-21. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Kevin Minter, right, and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) drags Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Eric Murray (21) into the end zone for a touchdown after catching a pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Damarious Randall (23) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) breaks from the line during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday Aug. 9, 2018, Philadelphia. The Steelers defeated the Eagles 31-14. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) makes a catch past Tennessee Titans defensive back Kenny Vaccaro (30)in the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) catches a pass then twists to stretch the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against the New England Patriots with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Upon video review, the touchdown call was reversed and the pass was ruled incomplete. The Patriots held on to win 27-24. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) blocks on special teams during the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 39-38. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) plays in an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs after taking a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Pittsburgh. While coaches, players, fans and broadcasters become puzzled or annoyed by the NFL's "catch rule," the people in charge of developing and refining it through the years also have struggled.(AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs after the catch during a week 14 NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 39-38. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) plays in an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James runs the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs after the catch during a week 14 NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 39-38. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) celebrates his touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs with the ball during the game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Titans 40-17. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) runs with the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 39-38. (Al Tielemans via AP)
The way James performed as a rotational tight end for the Steelers should allow him to take on an expanded role in the Lions' offense and bolster a position that was a major void in the offense in 2018.
James had 120 catches for 1,189 yards and nine touchdowns in four years with the Steelers. However, 112 of those catches came in the last three seasons.
James was only 20 when he was drafted in the fifth round out of Penn State. James was inactive for the first eight games, and he played sparingly in the final eight. He played all 48 regular-season games the last three years, dividing time with Vance McDonald.
James had reception totals of 39, 43 and 30 his last three years in Pittsburgh. It's likely he'll get more work with the Lions because of the lack of production and depth at the position. Michael Roberts, a fourth-round draft pick in 2017, has 13 catches in two seasons and has not showed consistency. Roberts is the only tight end on the current roster who has caught a pass in a regular-season game.
James made it clear that he was not complaining about the way he was used in Pittsburgh. His opportunities were limited by the way the offense was designed, and by having the veteran McDonald ahead of him on the tight end depth chart.
"I wouldn't say misused or not used," said. "I feel like coming here, I'm going to be a key part of this offense. In Pittsburgh, I was a key part. Here, my role could be greater. I can do more things. My game has grown every year. I know from what I was last year, I'm going to be a better player next year."
He's looking forward to catching passes from Matthew Stafford, who James praised for his ability and toughness.
"He's a great quarterback and competitor," James said. "Go from there. I think we have the quarterback. A franchise quarterback. Stafford's an unbelievable competitor. He fought some things – injuries in the past.
"I have a ton of respect for him. We're willing to put it all on the line for the team. I've seen that over and over.
"I'm not here for any fantasy points or anything like that. I'm here to win football games."
Late last season James said "we are Kardashians" in reference to the drama involving Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.
He didn't like it, but it didn't affect his performance, James said Thursday.
"I'm glad to get away from it," he said. "I kind of can block it out and focus on my job."
