Report: Patriots stay hot, agree to deal with Milton Williams
The New England Patriots made another splash during the NFL's negotiating window, agreeing to a contract with defensive tackle Milton Williams worth $26 million per year, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Williams, arguably the top defensive free agent available in 2025, will ink a four-year contract, NFL insider Josina Anderson reports.
The 25-year-old - who had two sacks in the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs - was close to joining the Carolina Panthers before reaching an agreement with the Patriots, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. He was also in touch with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, reports Cayden Steele of NJ.com.
Williams spent his first four NFL campaigns with the Eagles, who drafted him in the third round in 2021. He registered career highs with 10 quarterback hits and five sacks during the 2024 regular season.
The Louisiana Tech product's new average annual salary ranks third among defensive tackles, according to Spotrac.
The Patriots, now led by head coach Mike Vrabel, have wasted no time this offseason. New England also agreed to sign former Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis, ex-Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane, and veteran right tackle Morgan Moses to three-year contracts.