Patriots’ Top Free-Agent Addition Ready To Prove Narrative Wrong
The Patriots made a hefty financial investment to bring star free agent Milton Williams to New England. In fact, the Patriots handed Williams a franchise-record four-year, $104 million contract.
Williams got the massive deal despite never playing more than 50% of the snaps in a season during his four-year run with the Philadelphia Eagles.
But given the amount of capital the Patriots gave Williams, much more will be expected of him. He was just a key cog in Philadelphia’s stout defensive machine, but the Patriots will need him to be a standout defender.
But can Williams handle an increased workload while keeping up his production?
“Definitely. The more you’re out there, the more opportunity you’ve got to make plays,” Williams told reporters Thursday during an introductory press conference at Gillette Stadium, per team-provided transcript. “I pride myself on being productive on wherever I line up on the defensive line, and I’m going to bring that here.”
Williams logged a career-high five sacks and 24 tackles this past season, but really caught attention for his stellar showing in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Milton tallied two sacks and a forced fumble in the rout.
But Milton had to rotate in along the defensive line with the Eagles boasting several premier players in the trenches, including defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter along with edge rushers Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham.
But Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel envisions things going differently for Milton now that he’s with New England. Vrabel said Thursday he will give Williams more playing time. And Williams is ready to run with the opportunity and prove to the Patriots that he was worth every dollar.
“That’s big, man. Like I said, they believed in me,” Williams said. “Obviously they studied me as a player and as a person. They know what I bring to the table, physicality, toughness, determination, and I thrive on people telling me I can’t do something. Bring it on.”