The New England Patriots spent over $200 million on the defensive side of the ball in the 2025 NFL Free Agency.
The Pats signed defensive tackle Milton Williams to a four-year, $104 million contract, the highest contract spent in the offseason for the team.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen rates the Williams signing as the seventh-best offseason move in the NFL.
“Sticking with the former Philly defensive linemen, Williams is my favorite of the Patriots’ additions after they totaled a league-low 28 sacks last season. He has the strength to displace blockers at the point of attack, with the light feet and short-area burst to slip interior offensive linemen,” Bowen wrote for ESPN.
“After having five sacks and 18 pressures last season, Williams will now pair with Christian Barmore to give new coach Mike Vrabel two disruptive interior defenders.”
Williams received the second-highest pass-rush grade by Pro Football Focus last season with a 90.4 grade.
Williams had 24 total tackles with the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl-winning squad last season.
The defensive tackle said he joined the Patriots, outside the best offer, but because “They wanted me the most and made me a priority. So, I made them a priority.”
Milton Williams’ First Training Camp in Foxborough
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams
The Patriots kicked off the first day of training camp in the Mike Vrabel era on July 23rd.
Milton Williams spoke to reporters after day 1 about how it was getting back into the swing of things.
“We come out here to get better,” Williams said. “Work with each other. Continue to learn the defense, continue to build on the defense. Just every time we come out here, just get more confidence in each other to execute.”
Vrabel praised Milton Williams for stepping up and wanting to be a leader on the field with the Patriots after conditioning issues earlier this offseason.
“Early on, that was something that was important to Milt: He wanted to lead, and there had been zero pushback,” Vrabel said, via NBC Sports Boston. “He is fun to coach, he is very mature. So there’s zero reservation about his leadership ability. He’s here a lot, he’s here all the time. He shows up early, gets plenty of work in, takes care of his body. He’s a true pro.”
New Look Defensive Line
GettyNew England Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore
The Patriots are set to have defensive tackle Christian Barmore return after dealing with blood clots that kept him out for a good portion of last season.
Barmore said earlier this offseason that he is ready to go for the 2025-26 under Vrabel.
With Williams and Barmore as the DT duo rushing the passer down the middle, it could create opportunities for EDGE rushers. Barmore recorded 8.5 sacks and 64 tackles in his last full season played.
The Patriots’ defense had the fewest number of sacks under former HC Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington last season. With the additions of players to the defensive line and the new coaching staff, the Patriots’ front four can see that number improve.
