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With the most spending power in the NFL and a roster full of gaps, the New England Patriots were bound to make major moves in free agency. And they wasted no time.
Just hours into the legal tampering period, the Patriots landed a major defensive reinforcement, agreeing to a massive four-year, $104 million contract with defensive lineman Milton Williams. At 26, Williams was one of the standout performers during the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl run. He posted the highest pressure rate among all defensive tackles in the league (12.5%), proving to be a relentless force up front. While his total sack numbers may not jump off the page, that’s largely due to sharing snaps with Philadelphia’s deep defensive line rotation. His 90.4 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus is a much better indicator of the kind of disruption he brings to the field.
The Patriots also made strategic additions in veteran cornerback Carlton Davis and former Pro Bowl linebacker Harold Landry, but Williams was undoubtedly the crown jewel of their free-agent haul. Many analysts, including ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum, believe this was the best signing of the offseason.
“Sure, $26 million per year is a hefty price tag,” Tannenbaum said. “But finding a 26-year-old with elite interior pass-rushing skills is rare. His sack numbers (11.5 in 67 games) don’t tell the full story. Under Mike Vrabel’s system, Williams has the potential to take his game to a whole new level and become a cornerstone of the Patriots’ defense for years to come.”
With a major defensive playmaker now in place, the Patriots are expected to shift their focus to improving their offense—specifically, building a strong supporting cast around second-year quarterback Drake Maye. They hold the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and have been linked to top prospects like University of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell.
While the Patriots still have plenty of work to do, their aggressive approach in free agency signals that they’re ready to fast-track their rebuild and get back into playoff contention.