The New England Patriots signed Super Bowl Champion Milton Williams to a four-year, $104 million deal in the 2025 free agency to revamp their defense.
Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard said on his podcast that the defensive lineman isn’t a “game wrecker” and questions his price tag.
“Any of these impressive, three techniques interior defensive guys that can dominate a game, that can wreck a game consistently. If you’re talking about right now, he’s not that guy. He’s not,” Bedard said. “He’s really just a straight-ahead power rusher. Not many pass rush moves, not many counter moves.”
“You look at the money the Patriots paid him, $26 million [annually], is he worth that right now? In my opinion, no. Not even close.”
While the former Philadelphia Eagle doesn’t have the sack numbers that jump right out, his presence on the field can change a game. The defensive lineman had 5 sacks and 40 pressures last season for the Super Bowl winners.
Williams joins a Patriots defense that had 28 sacks last season, the lowest in the league. With a new head coach, things can change for the New England.
The former Louisiana Tech Bulldog was given a 90.4 pass rush grade by Pro Football Focus last season, ranking second among all qualifying defensive interior linemen.
Milton Williams’ Role on the Patriots
GettyNew England Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams.
The New England Patriots and Milton Williams agreed to a deal early on the legal tampering window during the 2025 NFL Free Agency.
With how quickly the Patriots signed the DL in the free agent market, Greg Bedard believes the newest will be a starter, receiving 60-70% of snaps in his first season in Foxborough.
PFF named Williams as the 14th best interior defender heading into the 2025-26 season with the Patriots under new HC Mike Vrabel.
“Williams is coming off an impactful 2024 campaign in which his presence on the Eagles’ defensive line was a catalyst for their Super Bowl run… His pass-rushing chops got him paid this offseason, and he should continue to display that ability at a high level,” PFF’s Trevor Sikkema wrote.
Bedard believes that if the Patriots can help develop Williams’ game, he can become like Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons — a Pro Bowl-calibre player who developed under head coach Mike Vrabel and Pats DC Terrell Williams.
Defensive Tackle Duo in Foxborough
GettyNew England Patriots interior defender Christian Barmore.
The Patriots will pair Williams with Christian Barmore inside the defensive line under new head coach Mike Vrabel next season.
Barmore is returning after being shut down from the 2024-25 season after dealing with blood clots. Barmore said that he should be ready for week one of the new season.
Williams praised Barmore and believes that together they set the tone for the defense.
“The defense is gonna start and end with what we do up front,” Barmore told reporters on May 13th. “Every day we come in we got to set the tone and everybody else is gonna follow. But just how me and him set the table for the defense we’re gonna be this year.”
Barmore logged 8.5 sacks in his last full season played.
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