Milton Williams Reveals Eagles’ Silence Led to Blockbuster Patriots Deal Ahead of Super Bowl Return
As the New England Patriots prepare to take the field for Super Bowl LX, a key storyline dominating the defensive line is not just the scheme, but the journey of defensive tackle Milton Williams. In a candid revelation ahead of the big game, Williams confirmed that his departure from Philadelphia was not born of a desire to leave, but rather a complete lack of engagement from the Eagles’ front office.
Deep Dive: The Sound of Silence
The narrative surrounding Williams’ exit from Philadelphia has often focused on the massive four-year, $104 million contract he signed with New England in March 2025. However, the 26-year-old lineman clarified this week that the decision was effectively made for him. According to Williams, General Manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles never presented a counter-offer or a contract extension before free agency began.
“Didn’t really get an offer… nothing,” Williams told reporters during Super Bowl media availability. “Didn’t really hear anything.”
This silence signaled a clear strategic pivot by the Eagles. By allowing Williams to walk without a fight, Philadelphia placed their full confidence in their younger, first-round investments, Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. The decision was a calculated risk: sacrifice a proven, versatile disruptor to preserve salary cap flexibility for future extensions of their Georgia Bulldogs duo. For Williams, the lack of communication was the final push needed to accept New England’s record-setting proposal, which made him one of the highest-paid interior defenders in the league.
The Counterpoint: Was Letting Him Go the Right Call?
Critics of the move—and defenders of the Eagles’ strategy—argue that matching New England’s offer would have been fiscally irresponsible.
Cap Constraints: Paying Williams $26 million annually would have severely handicapped Philadelphia’s ability to build depth elsewhere, especially with massive extensions looming for their core young stars.
Draft Capital Allocation: The Eagles had already spent significant draft capital on defensive tackles (Carter, Davis, and Moro Ojomo). Retaining Williams at a premium price would have created a redundancy that a salary-capped roster cannot afford.
Initial Skepticism: It is worth noting that when the Patriots first announced the signing, it was met with skepticism. Some analysts, including those at Sports Illustrated*, graded the signing an “F,” labeling it a desperate overpay by a rebuilding team.
However, the “overpay” narrative has largely collapsed. Williams has been a cornerstone of a Patriots defense that powered its way to the Super Bowl, recording crucial sacks in the playoffs and anchoring the run defense.
Player Profile & Background
Drafted by Philadelphia in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, Williams quickly established himself as an athletic freak with high upside.
Eagles Tenure: Over four seasons in Philadelphia, he developed into a critical rotational piece, culminating in a strong 2024 campaign where he recorded 5 sacks and was instrumental in their defensive line rotation during their own Super Bowl run.
The Contract: His move to New England secured him $63 million in guaranteed money, a life-changing figure that validates his production.
Patriots Impact: Despite missing five games in the 2025 regular season due to an ankle injury, Williams finished with impressive pressure rates. His return to the lineup sparked a defensive resurgence that carried New England through the Wild Card round and all the way to Super Bowl LX.
For Williams, Sunday’s game is more than a championship opportunity; it is vindication. While the Eagles watch from home, the lineman they didn’t offer a contract to is vying for his second ring, proving that New England’s “F” grade investment has paid off with an A+ return.
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