And for an hour or two, formerly of the Panthers. Ian Rapoport reports the Patriots are giving Williams $26 million a year. The Patriots reportedly beat out Carolina and Arizona for Williams’ services. Williams had a 91.7 PFF pass rush grade as part of an Eagles rotation with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis inside, picking up five sacks in 653 defensive snaps. He’ll add some pocket push to a Patriots defense that had almost nothing of this caliber inside in 2024, and team with Harold Landry to try to get New England’s defense back to the prestige it enjoyed during the Bill Belichick years.

This announcement comes shortly after Russini reported Williams and the Panthers had agreed to a deal. Now, it appears multiple teams are still making a push to sign the 26-year-old tackle who recorded two sacks in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Chiefs. While the Panthers are clearly one of the teams in play for Williams, a deal between the two sides is not imminent at this time.

Williams was one of the more sought after defensive tackles on the market. The 26-year-old played primarily in a backup role during his four seasons with the Eagles, but totaled a career-high five sacks last season while also posting 24 tackles and seven TFLs. Williams saved his best game of the season for the Super Bowl, when he tallied two sacks of Patrick Mahomes while also forcing and recovering a fumble. Now set to be a full-time starter, the Panthers will hope Williams can emerge as one of the league’s top defensive tackles in an emerging defense.

Graziano suggests the Panthers “might be one of the teams willing to spend big to lure defensive tackle Milton Williams away from the Super Bowl champion Eagles.” The Panthers will also attempt to bolster their edge rush and Graziano lists Saints defensive end Chase Young as an “intriguing option.” Adding Williams and Young to a defensive line featuring Derrick Brown and Jadeveon Clowney would make for an elite unit. Safeties Jevon Holland and Camryn Bynum are also reportedly on the Panthers’ short list of preferred defenders. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds that he is “hearing the same sort of stuff on the Panthers, and they also want to complete an extension with star corner Jaycee Horn.”