Hold Up: Patriots Reportedly Land Star Defender Despite Previous Reports

It looked for an hour or two Monday the Patriots were going to miss out on star defensive tackle Milton Williams. In the end, though, it appears New England will land the big man.

The Patriots have agreed to terms on a deal that will pay Williams $26 million per season, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, it’s a four-year deal worth $104 million, an agreement that Breer pointed out makes Williams the highest-paid player in franchise history.

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It was a stunning turn of events given earlier reports indicated Williams would sign with the Carolina Panthers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier in the day the two sides were working to finalize a deal. It appears they weren’t able to get that over the finish line, and now it seems the Patriots have secured the services of the Super Bowl LIX champion.

Williams is a huge addition for the Patriots, especially after New England reportedly agreed to trade Davon Godchaux to the New Orleans Saints earlier Monday. The 2021 third-round pick played in all 17 regular-season games and each of the Eagles’ four postseason games in 2024. Williams had a legitimate case for Super Bowl MVP with his performance in the championship game vs. Kansas City. He recorded three solo tackles, two sacks and recovered a fumble he forced in Philly’s historic defensive effort against the Chiefs.

It was a great end to another impressive season in which he recorded a career-high five sacks to go along with 6.5 stuffs. Williams also has been durable throughout his career, playing in all but one regular-season game over the first four years of his career.

Multiple reports indicated the Patriots would have significant interest in Williams, and that didn’t wane despite an early financial splash devoted to other positions on the defense, too. In the end, it seems New England was able to do what it took to get the deal done.