The New England Patriots made another big splash early in free agency, this time on a big man.
The Pats agreed to terms with former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams on a four-year contract worth $26 million per year, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported, per sources informed of the situation.
The deal makes Williams, NFL.com’s top-ranked free agent, the third-highest-paid interior defender on an annual basis in the NFL, behind only Chris Jones ($31.75 million per year) and Christian Wilkins ($27.5 million). It is a massive payday for a player who wasn’t a full-time starter during most of his run in Philly.
The Patriots outbid several teams for William’s services, including the Panthers, Cardinals and Vikings.
The penetrator immediately boosts the interior of the Patriots’ defense under new coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. The move comes on the heels of New England trading defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to New Orleans earlier in the day.
Williams entered the offseason as one of the top targets after a Super Bowl run with the Eagles. The 25-year-old has never generated more than five sacks in a season, but a dominant postseason run, coupled with athleticism and talent to continue ascending, put him in line for a big payday.
While he didn’t pile up sacks, Williams generated a 12.5 QB pressure percent, per Next Gen Stats, underscoring his penetrating ability. That’s the type of talent that gets paid in free agency.
The question with the former Eagles DT entering free agency was whether he could thrive as the big-money go-to player outside of Philly, which boasts Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. He’ll need to upgrade his run defense as an every-down player, but he fits the profile of what new DC Williams wants out of his interior penetrators.
The Patriots had money to burn and haven’t been afraid to toss it around early in free agency, particularly to revamp a defense that disappointed last season. New England has shelled out for cornerback Carlton Davis ($20 million per year), pass rusher Harold Landry ($14.5 million per), and linebacker Robert Spillane.
Williams becomes the crown jewel of the offseason overhaul under Vrabel.