New England Patriots to sign former Eagles DL Milton Williams, per reports
This story has been updated with new information.
The Philadelphia Eagles' championship-winning defense will be without a key piece in the 2025 NFL season.
Free agent defensive tackle Milton Williams is signing with the New England Patriots, a person close to the situation confirmed to Paste BN Sports' Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter.
Williams was initially expected to sign with the Carolina Panthers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter and other reports, but is now heading to the Patriots.
Williams, a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, grew into a bigger role with the Eagles and had the best year of his career in 2024. He posted a career-high in sacks with 5.0 and played in all 17 games.
The Eagles faced multiple free agents on defense this offseason with Williams, linebacker Zack Baun and edge rusher Josh Sweat. Baun re-signed to stay with the team, leaving the team to part ways with Williams and possibly Sweat.
Williams is one of the more athletic defensive linemen in the league at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds. He was the No. 73 overall pick in his draft class, one selection after Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeil. The Lions gave McNeil a four-year extension and now it's Williams' turn to get his payday.
Philadelphia still has second-team All-Pro Jalen Carter and 2022 top draft pick Jordan Davis on the defensive line on their roster, making Williams' departure less impactful.
He's one of multiple key free agent additions for the Patriots' defense on the first day of the legal tampering period along with cornerback Carlton Davis, linebacker Robert Spillane and edge rusher Harold Landry.
Milton Williams contract details
Williams' deal with the Patriots is one of the biggest contracts in the NFL for a defensive tackle. Here's the specifics, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:
- Length: Four years
- Total value: $104 million
- Average annual value (AAV): $26 million
- Total guaranteed money: $63 million
Williams' contract puts him third in the NFL in total value behind the Kansas City Chiefs' Chris Jones ($158.75 million) and the Las Vegas Raiders' Christian Wilkins ($110 million), per OverTheCap. He's behind both of them in AAV with Jones at $31.75 million and Wilkins at $27.5 million.
Williams has both beat in guaranteed money, though, with Jones at $60 million and Wilkins at $57.5 million.
Paste BN Sports' Tyler Dragon contributed to this story.