When you're looking at big-name free agents, the most important factor for a general manager and coach to consider is whether or not they'll fit the mold of what the team is trying to accomplish. Fortunately for the New England Patriots, they may have found the perfect image of that in defensive tackle Milton Williams.
The Patriots were fortunate to outbid the Carolina Panthers - whom they throttled in Week 4 - for Williams' services in free agency. He was going to be one of the most coveted players over the offseason after his performance in last year's playoffs with the Philadelphia Eagles.
After a quarter of the season and a big-time win over the Bills in Buffalo on Sunday, signs are pointing to Williams perfectly fitting the mold for what coach Mike Vrabel is trying to build the Patriots into.
#Patriots DT Milton Williams on beating Buffalo: "The world seen what we're capable of tonight. We got to show that shit every week now." pic.twitter.com/xem92BfDbO
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) October 6, 2025
Williams knows that the Patriots can't be one-game wonders and must continue to show that grit and intensity week in and week out, starting with Sunday's game against the Saints in New Orleans.
New England's next three games are against one-win teams, and the opportunity to get to 6-2 by Halloween is right there in front of the Patriots.
Milton Williams' leadership will be viable for Patriots over the rest of the season
Williams came to the Patriots from another hard-nosed organization in Philadelphia. It was that attitude that drove the Eagles to a Super Bowl championship last season.
Like the Eagles, the Patriots have their own talented quarterback in Drake Maye. In no way are we comparing the second-year signal caller to Jalen Hurts, but the combination of Maye's talent and Vrabel's coaching were two of the biggest reasons that Williams chose to come to New England.
The young but talented defense also needed a voice, and Williams provides just that. He's been through the rigors of the playoffs and lifted a Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of last season, and that's a culture that's been missing for years in New England.
And Williams' message after the win against the Bills should resonate within the rest of the Patriots' locker room. The NFL is a week-to-week league, and the Patriots aren't good enough - yet - to take any opponents for granted. Even the Saints, who are in full rebuild/tank mode, know Spencer Rattler is not the long-term answer at quarterback.
Williams is one of those players who will not let his teammates get complacent and will hold them accountable when mistakes happen. That's the type of voice the Patriots' defense hasn't had in quite some time.