Throughout the Patriots' dynasty, Bill Belichick wasn't known for spending the big bucks to get top-name superstars in the door, whether in free agency or via trade. For the most part, he paid the players who made the biggest impact, besides a few notable names, but was reluctant to make the big splash fans were dying to see.
So it wasn't surprising that once Eliot Wolf took over the general manager duties in 2024, there were a lot of calls for money to be dished out to drastically improve the team.
Unfortunately, he didn't quite do that in his first year, and instead, took a big leap of faith on several players last offseason, with the biggest signing being defensive tackle Milton Williams.
The Patriots spent a lot of money last year, with a good chunk of the salary cap going to Williams, who was coming off a standout season that resulted in a Super Bowl win with the Eagles. Wolf and Co. were so invested in getting him on the team that they stole him from the Panthers right as he was on his way to signing a contract, and awarded him the biggest contract in franchise history.
It was an initial shock to see their willingness to sign a player to a four-year, $104 million deal, but from what we've seen from Williams so far, it's clear he was well worth it.
The Patriots gamble on Milton Williams might be Eliot Wolf's best signing yet
After an abhorrent 2024 season, the Patriots needed to refresh their roster in every facet, with the defense being one of the primary focuses. They needed to bulk up on the defensive line and add playmakers to the locker room, making Williams an easy player to pursue to help lead the way.
He wasn't a name on their radar, given that he was considered among the top available free agents in the 2025 class, regardless of position, and, given their history, it seemed fair to assume he wouldn't be signed. So when it happened, it was met with shock and concerns about his contract.
It put him under a microscope as soon as he hit the field with his new team, and pretty quickly, Williams showed exactly why the Patriots made him a priority and gave him a contract that no other Patriot has ever had in the team's existence.
Not only that, but his consistent performance throughout the season showed the investment was the right move, and he will be a face of their defensive line for years to come. He's shown to be a leader and has built a 1-2 punch alongside Christian Barmore to make up one of the best defensive tackle tandems in the league, and that was just in Year 1.
Highest pressure rate among interior defensive linemen, 2024-25 (min. 400 pass rush snaps):
— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) May 17, 2026
1. Milton Williams, 13.6%
2. Chris Jones, 13.3%
3. Zach Allen, 12.9%
4. Quinnen Williams, 12.2%
5. John Franklin-Myers, 12.1%
6. Jeffrey Simmons, 11.9%
7. Osa Odighizuwa, 11.9%
8. Braden…
Expectations are even higher going into the 2026 season, and there's no reason to believe Williams won't build upon what he's already shown and become an even more impressive player.
The defensive line is going to look a lot different this time around, which can give him (and Barmore) another shot at elevating the group further, while taking on even bigger roles. If they can keep up what they've already done, then the Patriots are in good hands.
And from what Williams has already shown, they surely have a lot of confidence that he will quickly become a bigger superstar for their defense to the point that nobody ever mentions his massive contract again.
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