Last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles were staring down a tough decision - what to do with Milton Williams, a rising force on the defensive line who had just wrapped up a standout season and was hitting free agency. Williams had developed into a disruptive presence in the trenches, and his production down the stretch, especially in the playoffs, made his value hard to ignore.
In 17 regular-season games, Williams posted 24 tackles, 12 pressures, 10 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, a pass deflection, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Solid numbers, no question.
But it was in the postseason where he really turned heads. Over four playoff games, he tallied eight pressures, seven tackles, two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass deflections, a forced fumble, and another fumble recovery.
That kind of playoff production often leads to a big payday - and that’s exactly what happened.
But it wasn’t in Philadelphia.
Instead of locking him up, the Eagles let Williams walk. He signed with the New England Patriots on a massive four-year, $104 million deal, with $63 million guaranteed.
That’s elite-level money for an interior defensive lineman - and it made the Eagles’ decision crystal clear. General manager Howie Roseman, known for his calculated roster moves, chose not to match that price tag.
And while it may have stung at first, the decision was rooted in long-term roster flexibility and confidence in the depth already in the building.
Williams, now preparing for the Super Bowl with the Patriots, was asked about his offseason talks with Philly. His answer was short and telling.
“Didn’t really get an offer… nothing,” he said.
That’s about as blunt as it gets. No back-and-forth.
No negotiations. Just silence from the Eagles' side.
But it’s hard to argue with how things worked out - for both sides.
Williams missed five games during the regular season in New England but still made a big impact. In three postseason games, he racked up five tackles, four pressures, four quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and two sacks. He’s been a key contributor in the Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl, proving he can be a game-changer when it matters most.
Meanwhile, the Eagles didn’t exactly fall apart without him. Their defensive tackle group - led by young stars Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, along with promising depth from Moro Ojomo - held its own and then some. Philly boasts one of the deepest and most talented interior D-line rotations in the league, and they did it without shelling out nine figures.
Sure, the 2025 season didn’t go the way the Eagles hoped overall. But when it comes to the defensive tackle position, Roseman’s bet paid off. He avoided a massive financial commitment and still got strong production from a group that looks built to dominate for years.
Eagles fans can absolutely root for Williams - he earned that contract, and he’s thriving in New England. But they can also feel good about the direction their team is heading.
This wasn’t a case of letting talent walk out the door without a plan. This was a calculated move that balanced financial discipline with faith in young talent.
And as the Eagles reload for another run, that defensive line remains one of their biggest strengths - even without Milton Williams.