Patriots' front office proves shrewd in making a move that will have fans and analysts alike scratching their heads - the decision to sign Milton Williams, a young defensive tackle out of Southern University, to a massive four-year, $104 million contract.
Williams has been nothing short of phenomenal for New England, racking up five sacks this postseason and an impressive 13.7 pass rush win rate, which ranks eighth among defensive tackles who have played at least 10 games this season. His ability to generate pressure in the backfield is truly fascinating, with six "quick pressures" (defined as when a pass rusher provides pressure on an opposing quarterback within two and a half seconds of the ball getting snapped) that rivals even the great Aaron Donald.
With the five games Williams missed this season being a testament to his importance to the team's success, it's clear that the Patriots made a wise move by shelling out top dollar for the talented young defender. He has quickly proven himself to be worth every penny of the four-year deal, cementing his spot among the best free-agent signings in Patriots history.
But where does Williams rank on this list? Considering the caliber of players who have come before him, it's clear that he is right up there with the likes of Stephon Gilmore and Darrelle Revis. With two more years to prove himself, it will be interesting to see how Williams continues to develop and grow as a player - but for now, he is undeniably one of the best free-agent signings in Patriots history.
With the list featuring some other notable names such as Joe Andruzzi, Matthew Judon, Roman Phifer, Rob Ninkovich, and Rodney Harrison, it's clear that the Patriots' front office has a track record of making savvy moves in the offseason. As for where Williams falls on this particular list, here are the top 10 free-agent signings in Patriots history:
1. Mike Vrabel (2001) - The first overall pick in the supplemental draft and a key contributor to the team's Super Bowl victory.
2. Rodney Harrison (2003) - A future Hall of Famer who was signed on the eve of the season and went on to have a remarkable career with the Patriots.
3. Stephon Gilmore (2017) - A five-year, $65 million contract that has proven to be a steal, as he has become one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
4. Darrelle Revis (2014) - A four-year deal that was worth every penny of his Pro Bowl and All-Pro seasons with the Patriots.
5. Rob Ninkovich (2009) - A low-cost signing that turned into a long-term starter for the team, logging eight sacks in three straight years.
6. Roman Phifer (2001) - A key contributor to the team's Super Bowl victory and two other championships, with 90+ tackles in each of his first three seasons.
7. Matthew Judon (2021) - A four-year deal that was worth $56 million, and he has been one of the top pass rushers on the team since joining.
8. Milton Williams (2025) - A young talent who has quickly proven himself to be worth a massive contract, with 13.7 pass rush win rate and six "quick pressures" in the postseason.
9. Danny Amendola (2013) - A signing that paid dividends as he became a key contributor to the team's Super Bowl wins in 2014 and 2016.
10. Joe Andruzzi (2000) - A low-cost signing who became a starter for the team's first three Super Bowl-winning teams, earning spots on the franchise's All-2000s Decade Team and All-Dynasty Team.
Williams has been nothing short of phenomenal for New England, racking up five sacks this postseason and an impressive 13.7 pass rush win rate, which ranks eighth among defensive tackles who have played at least 10 games this season. His ability to generate pressure in the backfield is truly fascinating, with six "quick pressures" (defined as when a pass rusher provides pressure on an opposing quarterback within two and a half seconds of the ball getting snapped) that rivals even the great Aaron Donald.
With the five games Williams missed this season being a testament to his importance to the team's success, it's clear that the Patriots made a wise move by shelling out top dollar for the talented young defender. He has quickly proven himself to be worth every penny of the four-year deal, cementing his spot among the best free-agent signings in Patriots history.
But where does Williams rank on this list? Considering the caliber of players who have come before him, it's clear that he is right up there with the likes of Stephon Gilmore and Darrelle Revis. With two more years to prove himself, it will be interesting to see how Williams continues to develop and grow as a player - but for now, he is undeniably one of the best free-agent signings in Patriots history.
With the list featuring some other notable names such as Joe Andruzzi, Matthew Judon, Roman Phifer, Rob Ninkovich, and Rodney Harrison, it's clear that the Patriots' front office has a track record of making savvy moves in the offseason. As for where Williams falls on this particular list, here are the top 10 free-agent signings in Patriots history:
1. Mike Vrabel (2001) - The first overall pick in the supplemental draft and a key contributor to the team's Super Bowl victory.
2. Rodney Harrison (2003) - A future Hall of Famer who was signed on the eve of the season and went on to have a remarkable career with the Patriots.
3. Stephon Gilmore (2017) - A five-year, $65 million contract that has proven to be a steal, as he has become one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
4. Darrelle Revis (2014) - A four-year deal that was worth every penny of his Pro Bowl and All-Pro seasons with the Patriots.
5. Rob Ninkovich (2009) - A low-cost signing that turned into a long-term starter for the team, logging eight sacks in three straight years.
6. Roman Phifer (2001) - A key contributor to the team's Super Bowl victory and two other championships, with 90+ tackles in each of his first three seasons.
7. Matthew Judon (2021) - A four-year deal that was worth $56 million, and he has been one of the top pass rushers on the team since joining.
8. Milton Williams (2025) - A young talent who has quickly proven himself to be worth a massive contract, with 13.7 pass rush win rate and six "quick pressures" in the postseason.
9. Danny Amendola (2013) - A signing that paid dividends as he became a key contributor to the team's Super Bowl wins in 2014 and 2016.
10. Joe Andruzzi (2000) - A low-cost signing who became a starter for the team's first three Super Bowl-winning teams, earning spots on the franchise's All-2000s Decade Team and All-Dynasty Team.
They just gave Milton Williams a 4 year deal worth $104 million... that's like crazy talk!! 
I mean i get it, he's been lights out this postseason but still that's a ton of cash for some 1 dude! 
especially with the way they've been managing contracts and salaries for years. like seriously tho, did they do their research or r they just feelin themselves 
he's so hyped about joining the Pats! 104 million bucks is a crazy amount of money but if he keeps racking up those sacks like this season then it's definitely worth it 
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. What really gets me is how he was able to generate pressure in the backfield so quickly - it's like he was born to do it 
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. They're not afraid to invest big bucks in talented players who can make a difference on the field. I'm also loving how they're building around young talent like Williams and Matthew Judon 
. It's gonna be super interesting to see how these guys develop over the next 2 years 
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. And honestly, who wouldn't want to play with Bill Belichick? 
like, who needs a 401k when you can have a $104 million one right? 
They're definitely getting value out of that massive contract, especially with Williams' impressive postseason stats 
! I think he's going to end up right alongside Stephon Gilmore and Darrelle Revis on that top 10 list 
. The Pats front office is always making savvy moves in the offseason, and this one is no exception 
! Signing Milton Williams to such a massive contract is definitely a calculated risk, but it's clear they've got faith in him 
. The numbers are insane, 104 million for four years, but if he can keep up that production (5 sacks in the postseason? 
, but it's gonna be interesting to see how he develops over the next two years 
! I mean, don't get me wrong, the guy's been a game-changer for the Patriots this postseason, but $104 million over four years? It's a lot to take in. I still think he'll prove himself over time and end up in that top 5, but it's crazy to see him leapfrog some of these all-time greats so quickly 
! I mean, 13.7 pass rush win rate is insane ! They must've been desperate to lock him down with a huge deal though 
. It's clear that Bill Belichick and his team know how to get the most bang for their buck, just like how politicians know how to spin a message to get re-elected 
. But seriously, it'll be interesting to see how Williams develops over the next two years and whether he becomes one of the best free-agent signings in Patriots history... but let's be real, this is what happens when you have a team with a proven track record of success like the Pats!