The Philadelphia Eagles entered free agency with the possibility of losing several top free agents coming off a Super Bowl-winning season. While they kept Zack Baun, the trio of Mekhi Becton, Milton Williams and Josh Sweat were all available when the NFL’s legal tampering period for free agency opened on Monday morning.
The Eagles saw one of their potential reunion candidates head elsewhere in the opening minutes of the tampering window but lost the first of their own just over an hour later. While the move was expected, the destination was jarring as one of the top free agents broke the bank with an AFC laughingstock.
Eagles Lose Milton Williams to Patriots in NFL Free Agency
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Milton Williams has agreed to a contract with the New England Patriots who will pay him $26 million per season.
Williams was a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft but the 25-year-old put himself in a position to cash in after a breakout season in 2024. Aside from posting a career-high 40 pressures with five sacks and a PFF pass-rushing grade of 90.4, he was at his best when the lights were brightest, collecting 14 pressures and three sacks during the playoffs including four pressures and a pair of sacks in the Eagles’ 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
The Eagles probably would have liked for Williams to return but their salary cap situation ($22.6 million in cap space entering free agency) forced them to deem him “not part of the plan” according to Cayden Steele of NJ.com. It took another chapter when Howie Roseman pumped up Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt as potential replacements during the NFL Scouting Combine.
"Very impressed by what they showed in their play time," Roseman said via PHLY’s Zach Berman. "Obviously, didn’t play a tremendous amount. They’re young players who have the tools in their body to be really good players. I expect a jump from both guys."
While Hunt and Ojomo could have bigger roles – especially if Sweat follows Williams out the door in free agency – Williams will get a massive bag from the Patriots. New England had the money to spend with an NFL-high $121.8 million in cap space but it seems like a massive overpay considering Williams's resume.
Either way, the Eagles will move on and Williams will try to become a centerpiece of Mike Vrabel's defense in New England.