The acquisitions between NFL free agents will not be official until the league year begins on Wednesday. The contract is certainly not a formula after hours of what is called legal tampering period.
The New England Patriot never stopped pursuing former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, reportedly signing a contract with him.
The Carolina Panthers reportedly had confirmed their contract with Williams, who starred the Eagles in the Super Bowl Lix victory. But shortly afterwards, according to reports from the NFL media, the Patriots came in and agreed to join Williams on his behalf.
According to sports illustration Albert Breer, Williams has signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the Patriots. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, $63 million is guaranteed.
The Eagles had two biggest free agents in the market, but it wasn’t a surprise that Williams found a big payday elsewhere. In the early days of the tampering period, Williams was reported to have finalized his contract with the Panthers on Monday, according to multiple reports, including ESPN and Athletic. Athletic added that the deal is not just close, it’s not entirely done.
After all, that wasn’t happening as the Patriots reportedly lifted the ante against the Panthers.
Either way, the Eagles have lost most of their championship teams. Another Eagles Super Bowl star, defensive end Josh Sweatt, will set out for the Arizona Cardinals on a four-year, $76.4 million deal per ESPN.
Williams will be a hot item as the so-called legal tampering period began in free agency on Monday. He was slightly overshadowed by Eagles defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, but the NFL team knew he was talented. Many fans were introduced to him when Williams had two bags in the Super Bowl.
Williams is only 25 years old and is his former third draft pick. The Patriots have the most pay cap space in the NFL and have made several major moves, including agreeing to a deal with Williams and cornerback Carton Davis III. They also signed Pass Rush Harold Laundry. Harold Laundry was able to sign early as he was released by the Titans.
The Eagles are fine. They had the deepest roster in the NFL and had many excellent players along the defensive line. However, some departures were inevitable as the team picked it on the Eagles Championship roster. The Panthers will have to regroup after they get close to Williams and miss him.
